Liverpool Plaza: Homeless man freed after becoming trapped in cardboard compacting machine

Firefighters and paramedics have rescued a homeless man after he became trapped in a compacting machine in a busy shopping centre in Sydney’s southwest trying to escape the cold.

A man was freed after becoming trapped in a cardboard compacting machine in Liverpool.

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A homeless man has suffered serious injuries to his lower body after being crushed inside a cardboard compactor in Sydney’s southwest this morning.

Police, Fire and Rescue crews and paramedics were called to Northumberland St in Liverpool just after 7am on Monday after reports a 41-year-old man was trapped inside a cardboard compactor used by Liverpool Plaza.

Three fire crews worked for an hour to dismantle the machine and free the man before paramedics treated him for pelvis and leg injuries including a cut to his hip and a suspected fracture.

Three Fire + Rescue NSW crews attended the scene.

A NSW Ambulance spokesperson confirmed the man was taken to Liverpool Hospital in a stable condition where he remains serious.

Liverpool Police Chief Inspector Greg Tetley told The Daily Telegraph a Liverpool Plaza cleaning staff member unwittingly turned on the machine on Monday morning, unaware the man was asleep inside.

“A cleaner attended the location to start work and turned on the compactor,

at which time he heard someone calling out for help,” Chief Insp Tetley said.

“The worker then located the man inside the compactor.”

The man was taken to Liverpool Hospital.

The worker was questioned by officers at the scene but no charges are being investigated.

Chief Insp Tetley said the 41-year-old man, who is believed to be homeless, climbed inside the compactor to keep warm during a cold night.

“I believe he sleeps rough, he was just getting out of the cold last night,” Chief Insp Tetley said.

“We’ll make sure (the compactor) is secured in future so we don’t have anyone else climbing in.”

Investigations into the incident are ongoing.

A man has been taken to hospital after becoming trapped in a cardboard compacting machine in Sydney’s southwest.

Emergency services were called to Liverpool Plaza on Northumberland St just after 7am following reports a man had become trapped by his legs in the machine.