Driver heard screams as man crushed to death in bin lorry, Northampton inquest told

A driver told an inquest he heard screams as a man was crushed to death after being tipped from a bin into a lorry.

Sajmir Beca, 30, suffered catastrophic injuries during the incident in the early hours of the morning on 31 October last year.

He was taken to University Hospital Coventry where he died less than a week later on 6 November.

On Wednesday Northampton Coroner's Court heard Mr Beca, whose family have stressed was not homeless, died from organ failure after crush injuries to his pelvis and lower limbs.

Senior Coroner Anne Pember said it was not clear why Mr Beca was in the bin - which was picked up and emptied on Wellington Street, Northampton - before ruling his death as accidental.

The court heard the lorry driver, Stephen Plowman, had checked the bin Mr Beca was in but could only see cardboard on top.

In a statement, he said he emptied the bin and turned the blade cycle on shortly before he heard screams.

Mr Plowman, who has worked for waste removal company Veolia UK for 15 years, told the court he turned around to see Mr Beca staring at him.

He said: "I was in shock, repeatedly telling him to get out."

He told the court he pressed the emergency stop button before he called 999, then added that he did not want to see him being pulled out.

In the statement, Mr Plowman spoke of having nightmares and said he was worried he would not be able to return to his work.

His employer, Veolia UK, said the driver had followed correct procedures.

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, who had travelled from Albania, were seen crying outside the inquest.

Ms Fabjola Aruci, the barrister representing them, said: “The family have been left with many unanswered questions but they will pursue justice for Sajmir until the end.”

In tributes to Mr Beca, who had dreams of becoming a professional footballer, relatives described him as a pillar of the family.

They said Mr Beca only sought to make other people's lives better and was a person who exuded kindness.

Reporting History sees journalists join News At Ten anchor Tom Bradby to revisit their remarkable on-the-day reports of the defining events of the modern age. Listen to the episodes below.