Homeless man crushed to death in bin lorry

A homeless man has been crushed to death in a bin lorry, police said today.

The man, 31, climbed into a waste bin to sleep out of the cold and rain, but the bin was later loaded into a waste collection vehicle which automatically compacts waste through its mechanical crusher.

His body was only discovered when the lorry emptied its load at a tipping site in Ardwick, Manchester, at about 11.30am on Wednesday

A Home Office post-mortem examination concluded he died as a result of asphyxiation as he was crushed amongst the refuse.

There are no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death and the details have been passed to the coroner by police.

Det Supt Julian Ross from Greater Manchester Police, said: "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."