California woman sleeping in bin survives being loaded into trash truck

A woman who fell asleep in a trash bin in Buena Park and was dumped into a trash collection truck was rescued Friday morning, March 22, the Orange County Fire Authority said.

Around 7:30 a.m., firefighters were called to the 8000 block of La Palma Avenue, a short distance from Knott’s Berry Farm, after the trash truck operator heard sounds coming from his truck, said Capt. Greg Barta, an OCFA spokesman. Firefighters entered the truck through the top and treated the woman.

“Routine” call – Not this morning for the firefighters from station 61 in Buena Park.

Crews were called to the scene to assist a woman who was inside a trash truck and injured. The victim was sleeping in a dumpster when it was emptied into the truck. >>>>>> pic.twitter.com/jaHIGMwVXC

— OCFA PIO (@OCFireAuthority) March 22, 2024

They then ran ropes through a pulley system on a ladder fire truck to lift the woman, who had been placed in a stokes basket, from the trash truck. Firefighters then lowered the basket to the ground. The woman was taken to a hospital. Barta said her vital signs were stable.

Firefighters practice similar rescues from ditches and roofs, Barta said.

“It went smoothly,” he said. “It’s something they train for all of the time. When an unusual call comes in like this they are able to perform it safely, effectively and efficiently.”