by SAN MATEO, Calif. — This week, emergency crews faced an unusual rescue when they freed a man stuck inside a donation bin, with only his shoes visible through a small metal slot, the firefighters said.
The San Mateo Police Department first found the man trapped in what looked like a clothing or recycling donation bin. They called the San Mateo Fire Department for help with the tricky extraction.
Photos shared by firefighters showed just the soles of the man’s shoes awkwardly sticking out from the narrow opening.
“Some things you just can’t make up — even when you think you’ve seen it all,” the firefighters joked.
To get him out safely, crews used hydraulic spreaders — often called the “Jaws of Life” — tools usually reserved for freeing people from car crashes. Fortunately, the man wasn’t seriously hurt.
“We were able to free him without any major injuries,” the department said. “While recycling and donating are great, here’s a friendly reminder: donation bins are for clothes and recyclables — not for people!”
