Lansing Man Dies After Getting Stuck In Clothing Donation Bin

LANSING (WWJ) - A 53-year-old Lansing man meets a grim death — apparently crushed after he somehow got stuck in a clothing donation bin.

Lansing Police Public Information Officer Robert Merritt says police got a call at around 10:30 p.m. Tuesday from a witness who spotted the disturbing sight in a busy strip mall parking lot.

"...Our officers were dispatched in regard to a subject that... looked like he appeared to be half in and half out of a large metal...like a donation bin,"  Merrit told WWJ Newsradio 950's Sandra McNeil. "He was either stuck, or sticking out of it."

Merrit said police arrived at the scene, in the 2900 block of South Washington, and found the trapped man.

"He was unresponsive at the time, and he was stuck within the opening of this large donation bin," Merrit said. "There is an opening to this container and that's what his upper body was actually caught in; his lower body was out."

The man was stuck so severely, Merrit said, police had to radio for additional help.

"We were able to call the Lansing Fire and Rescue," Merrit said. "They responded and actually had to use some cutting instruments to cut the metal container; and the male will still unresponsive during this, as well as once they were able to free him from this container."

The man was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Why was he in the bin?

Merrit said police don't know for sure at this point, but foul plan is not suspected.  A preliminary investigation indicates that it was likely just an accident.

It's unclear how long the man had been in the bin.

An autopsy will be conducted to determine an exact cause of death.

Police are not releasing his name at this time.