Man Killed in Bin Tragedy

A Manchester man was tragically killed by a refuse truck emptying a bin that he was sleeping rough in.

The man suffocated under the debris inside the vehicle and his body was only found when the contents were emptied at a rubbish tip.

The vehicle automatically crushes the contents of bins once inside it.

Police were alerted after the man’s body was found at a tipping site in Ardwick, Manchester.

The man had been sleeping in a large rubbish bin used by businesses like restaurants in attempt to keep warm from the bitterly cold December weather.

A Home Office post-mortem has revealed the 31-year-old man died as a result of asphyxiation.

There are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death and the coroner has been informed.

Detective Supt Julian Ross said: “As a result of our enquiries, it would appear this man was homeless and climbed into the bin to escape the bad weather and find somewhere warmer and dryer to sleep.

“We don’t know if he was suffering from hypothermia as a result of the cold but it would appear he was unable to alert those moving the bin that he was inside. As a result they were unaware of the tragic circumstances until they were informed by the police.

“This was a tragic accident and those involved are very upset that this man has died in this way.

“At this time of year when the weather is particularly cold, there will be a temptation for people who are homeless to seek refuge and find somewhere warm to sleep.

“Sadly, as in this case, sleeping in a bin can lead to this sort of tragic accident and someone losing their life, I would strongly urge those unfortunate people who find themselves without a bed at night to remember what happened to this man and try and find somewhere safer to sleep.”