First picture of homeless man, 30, crushed to death in back of bin lorry

A rough sleeper who sought refuge from the cold in an industrial bin was killed after being crushed by a waste lorry.

Sajmir Beca, 30, was seriously injured after sleeping in a bin that was collected by a waste management truck on Wellington Street in Northampton town centre in the early hours of Friday, October 31, an inquest heard.

Neighbours were awoken by screams coming from the lorry before ambulances and police arrived at the scene at around 3am.

Sajmir later died of his injuries at University Hospital Coventry on November 6.

Senior coroner Anne Pember said the homeless man died of multiple organ failure as a result of multiple crush injuries to the pelvis and lower limbs.

His body has been returned to his family and a funeral has been held.

Speaking to the Northampton Chronicle & Echo, a friend of Sajmir’s said she returned to the town from another area the evening of his death so he couldn’t find anyone to stay with – adding that he is not a regular rough sleeper.

‘We are really sorry and we want him to be remembered the way how he was, not for the way how he died,’ she said in a tribute.

‘He was a great person, a very hardworking guy. I’m feeling so sad. My husband, he couldn’t stop crying, you know, because he was feeling like why he didn’t try to call him.

‘He called all these other people, but not him. I would tell him to come to sleep at our house or, you know, whatever, but he didn’t because probably he was feeling ashamed.’

Veolia, a waste contractor which manages commercial bins in the town, said it was ‘deeply saddened’ by the incident.

A spokesperson for Veolia said: ‘We are deeply saddened by this incident which has tragically resulted in the loss of a life.

‘Our heartfelt thoughts and condolences are with the loved ones of the person who has passed away.

‘Our driver acted quickly at the scene and we will continue to support them. We have fully cooperated with the police during their investigation.

‘Sadly, in the winter months we see an increase in the number of people taking shelter in bins.

‘We will continue to work with colleagues and clients to raise awareness of this.’

A spokeswoman for Northamptonshire Police said: ‘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.’

Temperatures at night in Northampton are plunging to -3C this week.

Britain could be set for another ‘Beast from the East’ in December as the Met Office warned that a ‘harsh frost’ is to be expected towards the end of the week.

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