Homeless man sleeping in bin narrowly escapes being crushed to death - charity Crisis joins up with waste firm Grundon for warning campaign

Crisis has joined waste management company Grundon to issue a joint warning after a man was found inside a wheelie bin last Christmas.

Video shows the 'shaken' rough sleeper emerge from the bin, which was moments away from being emptied into a compactor lorry.

Campaigners say many people experiencing homelessness climb into bins to escape the harsh chills of winter. Due to many bin lorries now being electric, there are also fears that those sleeping in bins are less able to hear their approach.

The joint campaign follows a close call incident in December last year, when a Grundon driver noticed a bin he was due to collect was unusually heavy.

Driver Dave Goodwin discovered a person sleeping inside and was able to allow the individual to get out safely before dumping the bin in his lorry.

Mr Goodwin, who is based at Grundon's depot in Banbury, Oxfordshire, said: “As drivers, we are always trained to be alert to anything unusual. It was one of those split-second moments when you realise something isn’t right.

"I immediately stepped back from the bin and was hugely relieved to find that though the gentleman inside was a bit shaken up, he was unharmed. He told me that, previously, he would listen out for the sound of a diesel engine as a warning of a vehicle approaching.

"Because I was in an electric vehicle, which is much quieter. He didn’t hear it approach."

Footage shows the rough sleeper emerging from the bin, illuminated by the lights of Mr Goodwin's lorry.

If he hadn't noticed him inside, the bin would have been emptied into the lorry's compactor, crushing him.

Crisis and Grundon's new campaign provides advice for those seeking shelter in bins, as well as guidance for businesses and the public to tell if someone is taking refuge inside a bin.

Reg Hodson, head of safety, health, environment and quality at Grundon, said: “Thankfully, due to Dave’s professionalism and care, no harm was done.

"But, hearing his story and seeing this video made us realise that, as our industry moves to quieter electric waste collection vehicles, we all need to be more vigilant to help reduce the chances of such an incident happening again. That’s why, supported by Crisis, we’ve launched this campaign to help get that message out to as many people as possible."

The campaign includes the distribution of brightly coloured stickers reading: "WARNING. Risk to Life. Do not use this bin for sleeping."

But as well as being aimed at those sleeping rough, the campaign also seeks to advise businesses and the wider public on typical signs that someone might be taking refuge inside a bin.

These signs might include broken locks, rubbish scattered on the ground, evidence of personal belongings nearby and items such as pallets stacked up to allow someone to climb inside the container.

"We are asking anyone who has waste containers in or around their premises to carry out regular checks and to make sure the area is secure and well-lit," Mr Hodson added.

“Talk to your staff so they know the signs to look out for and, if possible, display warning signs on and around the bins themselves. By taking a few minutes this winter, everyone can play their part in keeping people safe."

Figures from Crisis show that, since 2021, rough sleeping in England has increased by 91 per cent, with over 300,000 families and individuals across Britain now experiencing the worst forms of homelessness, including rough sleeping, sofa surfing and sleeping in cars and sheds.

Francesca Albanese, director of policy and social change at Crisis, said some rough sleepers may also shelter in bins to remain hidden for their own safety.

"We are tragically seeing more and more people forced to sleep on our streets," she explained. "Faced with danger and uncertainty, people can seek shelter from the cold and keep themselves hidden from view for their own safety.

"We are pleased to be able to work with Grundon on this campaign, which we hope will keep more people safe from harm.

"Alongside these important partnerships, we need more support from the national government to help people off the streets and out of homelessness, because no one should have to face the trauma and indignity of sleeping rough. This includes building more social homes as quickly as possible, and making sure that homelessness prevention services are properly funded.”

Those concerned about an individual who may be sleeping in or around a bin are urged to contact Streetlink, who connect rough sleepers in England and Wales to local authority and charity support.

Grundon share an ongoing partnership with Crisis, providing free delivery and collection of clinical waste bins to the charity's centres as part of their annual Crisis at Christmas appeal.