Asphyxia from external compression to the neck is what caused the death of a 34-year old man in a clothing bin in Ambleside, according to a report by Cynthia Hogan, coroner for BC.
Hogan has classified the death as accidental.
“The autopsy confirmed that the victim dies from asphyxiation,” the report notes.
On December 2018, around 8:20 am, a passerby walking in the Ambleside Park saw the victim with his head stuck inside the clothing bin.
Emergency crews removed the man from the bin and attempted resuscitation, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
An exam revealed deep pressure marks on the neck, consistent with the position the victim was found in.
The coroner’s report noted that the man was homeless, and suffered from mental health issued. He was known for taking items from the donation bin.
A post-mortem also revealed the victim had consumed illicit drugs.
The District of West Vancouver banned all clothing donation bins since the incident.
The Union of BC Municipalities will be issuing a warning to all municipalities about the risk associated with clothing donation bins.
