People trapped in back of garbage truck rescued thanks to vigilant driver, ND cops say

A garbage truck driver in North Dakota got a surprise on their morning route, accidentally dumping two people into the back of the truck, Fargo police said.

Officers received a call for rescue at 6:36 a.m. on Thursday, March 16, the department said in a news release.

The two people apparently were inside a dumpster and when the driver emptied it into the back of the truck, they came spilling out with the trash, the release said.

They were unable to escape, as the walls of the trash container were too tall to reach. Fortunately, the truck’s compactor was not in use at the time, according to police.

When garbage trucks reach their fill, they use a powerful compactor to crush the garbage and make room for more. While rare, people have died this way, becoming trapped in the container while the compactor does its job, McClatchy News reported.

That outcome was avoided when the driver spotted the two accidental hitchhikers through a camera on the truck, police said.

Police and firefighters arrived to help.

“Due to the height of the walls of the garbage truck, the individuals required assistance from the Fargo Fire Department to get out,” the release said.

“Both individuals appeared to be unharmed and refused medical treatment.”

This story was originally published March 21, 2023 at 1:54 PM with the headline "People trapped in back of garbage truck rescued thanks to vigilant driver, ND cops say."