An inquest has heard that a driver heard screams as a man was crushed to death after being tipped from a bin into a refuse lorry. Sajmir Beca, 30, suffered catastrophic injuries during the incident on Wellington Street in Northampton in the early hours of October 31 last year. He was taken to University Hospital Coventry but died on November 6.
Details of the Incident
Emergency services were called to Wellington Street at around 3am after the refuse truck driver raised the alarm. Northampton Coroner's Court heard that Mr Beca, who his family said was not homeless, died from organ failure after injuries to his pelvis and lower limbs. His family travelled from Albania for the inquest.
Senior Coroner Anne Pember said it was not clear why Mr Beca was in the bin and ruled his death as accidental. Driver Stephen Plowman told the court he had checked the bin but could only see cardboard on top. He emptied the bin and turned on the blade cycle when he heard screams. In a statement, he said he saw Mr Beca staring at him and repeatedly told him to 'get out'. He hit the emergency stop button and called 999. Plowman added that he had suffered nightmares and was worried he would not be able to return to work.
Police and Company Statements
A Northamptonshire Police spokeswoman said at the time: 'Police officers were called to an incident involving a bin lorry in Wellington Street, Northampton, just after 3am on October 31. Sadly, a man sustained serious injuries as a result and died in hospital on November 6. There are no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death and we have prepared a report for the coroner. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time.'
Steve Mitchell, Commercial Veolia UK, said: 'Our deepest sympathies and condolences remain with the family and loved ones of Sajmir. We are grateful to both the emergency services who attended and our driver who acted quickly at the scene. This tragic incident is a sad reminder of the danger of taking refuge in bins. We will continue to work with the rest of the waste industry and waste producers to raise awareness.'
Mr Beca's family described him as a pillar of the community who exuded kindness and only sought to make other people's lives better.
