Mangaluru: A possible tragedy was averted as an employee of Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL) plugged a fresh leak in the crude oil pipeline of the company.

Crude oil started leaking from the pipeline after a worker attached to an external agency accidentally hit it while doing underground work at Thokur, stated a press release from MRPL.

Ramesh Poojary, working in administration department of MRPL, spotted the leak while passing by that road. He got off his vehicle and took preliminary measures to stop the leak before bringing the issue to the notice of the maintenance wing of MRPL, the release added.