Drivers grab wads of cash strewn on road

MOTORISTS on a highway in California thought Christmas had come early after thousands of dollars were strewn on to the highway following a road accident.

It all seemed too good to be true when the back door of an armoured truck flew open, and bags of cash tumbled out.

Wads of $1 and $20 bills were sent flying onto the Interstate-5 freeway after several bags burst open.

The accident occurred in Carlsbad, about 90 miles south of Los Angeles.

Traffic ground to a halt in both directions and banknotes flew around like confetti as motorists leapt out of their cars to scoop up wads of money as fast as they could.

“This is the most insane thing I’ve ever seen… literally everybody stopped on the freeway to get money off of the freeway,” said bodybuilder Demi Bagby, who posted footage on her Instagram page.

Exactly how much cash disappeared has not been disclosed.

“There was cash all over the freeway,” a spokesman for the California Highway Patrol told local television station KFMB.

“People stopped in the lanes, completely blocked the lanes.”

Police intervened and at least two people were led away in handcuffs.

Those who did pocket cash are being advised to hand the money back to the California Highway Patrol. Around a dozen people have already done so.

The financial feeding frenzy was caught on social media, which is not good news for those hoping to hang on to their unexpected windfall.

Their images and those of number plates are being examined by the FBI and the highway patrol, who warned that those who didn’t return the cash within 48 hours could face prosecution.

The authorities have released 16 photographs and still images of people they wish to interview.

“If you stop to pick up money, as many people as videoed the scene, you can possibly be facing charges,” said highway patrol officer Jim Bettencourt.