A YOUNG homeless man is recovering in hospital after he was almost crushed to death in the back of a dustcart.

Lee Verdon, 19, suffered abdominal injuries in the incident.

As reported in our later editions yesterday Mr Verdon, of no fixed address, had been sleeping rough in a rubbish skip at the rear of King George's Hall, Blackburn.

Sgt Keith Jackson said the teenager was lucky to be alive.

"He sometimes stayed at the Night Shelter but decided to sleep in the skip on Thursday night," added Sgt Jackson.

"But he obviously didn't realise that Friday is the collection day for the skips. "When the skip collection cart came it put its forks in the side of the skip and dumped the rubbish, and Mr Verdon, into the cart. Fortunately there were already some bags in there which cushioned his fall.

"The hydraulic system then pushed the rubbish to the back of the cart and Mr Verdon was trapped by the machinery.

"He shouted for help but the driver could not hear him. Luckily, some workmen heard his cries."

Police, fire-officers and paramedics worked together to release and treat Mr Verdon and he received 45 minutes of medical attention on the spot before being transferred to Blackburn Royal Infirmary.

Staff there said he was comfortable today.

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