A person sleeping in a dumpster was hurt after being emptied into a garbage truck Friday morning.
Firefighters used a ladder to climb into the truck and then pulled the person out around 6 a.m. The person was assessed by Lambton EMS paramedics and taken to Bluewater Health, Sarnia Fire Rescue said on social media.
“The individual had reportedly been sleeping in a dumpster when it was emptied into the truck,” the fire department said. “The person fell a considerable distance into the nearly empty hopper and was complaining of lower back pain.”
Mike Otis, a Sarnia fire spokesperson, was asked Friday if such an incident has happened in the city before. “It has in other cities, for sure, but not here that I can recall,” he said by email.
Some on social media speculated the incident might be related to homelessness. Sarah Churchill, a Lambton County homelessness prevention and social planning program supervisor, said she can’t comment on the specific person, but called the situation unfortunate.
“They could have been experiencing homelessness, so just glad for the quick response by fire rescue and that they got medical attention,” she said Friday.
Churchill said she talked to staff at their shelter providers and there was space at the lodge and overflow sites in Sarnia.
Churchill also said they have outreach teams available to connect people dealing with homelessness and to make sure they’re aware there are alternatives to sleeping outside.
Sarnia police advise people experiencing homelessness or seeing signs of homelessness or social disorder related to homelessness to call 519-346-HOME.
“The number connects you with the appropriate community service for the situation or the Sarnia Police Servic to provide the right response,” police said. “Together, we can connect our community members to support.”