Port Lincoln boy killed in horror dumpster truck incident

The two friends of a 13-year-old boy who was killed in a horrific garbage truck accident in Port Lincoln on Tuesday are “traumatised” over the incident.

Police say the three local boys, aged 11, 12 and 13, were allegedly asleep in an industrial bin early on Tuesday morning when the bin was being emptied during its scheduled collection.

As the bin was lifted, one boy managed to jump out and avoided being injured, but the other two were tipped over as it was lifted into the truck.

That child who escaped, 12, began banging on the truck door to alert the driver.

Emergency services were called just after 5.20am on Tuesday to the Repco car park, next to a McDonald’s drive thru, on Liverpool Street.

The teenager, 13, sustained serious injuries and died at the scene despite the efforts of paramedics trying to save him.

A statement from SA police said the truck driver was not aware the boys were in the bin and was “extremely shaken” by the incident.

He was also taken to hospital to be assessed.

South Coast Local Service Area officer in charge Superintendent Paul Bahr addressed the media later in the day.

He said the boys were “traumatised” by what had happened and it would take time to get more details from them.

“The background as to how they’ve ended up in this industrial bin is something that’s really going to take some time to understand,” Superintendent Bahr said.

“It will be a strong part of the coronial investigation that we’ve begun.”

He said the boys were not classified as homeless and had “places to stay … with beds they could sleep in”.

Superintendent Bahr added it was a “terrible event” for the first responders and the community.

“Dealing with a young child who is suffering significant trauma and not being able to save their life after a lot of effort has gone into attempting to revive him is going to be very difficult to them.

“We’re not aware of any reports of children sleeping in bins in Port Lincoln. This is the first time we’ve become aware of it.

“Port Lincoln has an issue with homelessness like every community and from time to time we do get rough sleepers (but) I’m not aware of children sleeping rough.”

Police are unsure if there were any witnesses but urged the public to come forward and contact 131 444 if they saw anything related to the incident.

The Repco car park was cordoned off with an orange and green fence on Tuesday morning as detectives processed the scene.

SafeWork SA were notified and said its inspectors attended the site and were making inquiries into the incident.

“SafeWork SA offers condolences to his family, friends and colleagues at this distressing and sad time,” it said in a statement.

Veolia Waste Management confirmed to NCA NewsWire one of its waste collection vehicles was involved in the incident.

“Our deepest sympathy is with the loved ones of the deceased, and while we are unable to comment further on the circumstances at present, we are working closely with the emergency services, and a full investigation into the incident is underway,” it said in a statement.

Port Lincoln Mayor Brad Flaherty said the young boy’s death was “very, very sad” and would have a “significant impact” on the local community that was left “shocked” by the news.

“Port Lincoln has a very strong community and will stand behind the families involved,” he told NCA NewsWire.

“Our thoughts go out to the families, friends and colleagues involved in the situation.

“We’ve got to be resilient and make sure we’re there for the people involved.”

In a statement, Mr Flaherty said council was “thankful” the two other boys were able to escape the horrific situation, and that the incident was “devastating news for our community and those families and friends directly impacted by the incident”.

Adelaide MP Nat Cook shared the news on Twitter, branding it an “absolute tragedy”, while Senator Justin Hanson wrote: “How could this happen?”

Port Lincoln is on the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia, about a seven-hour drive from the Adelaide CBD, or 251 kilometres directly across the water.

Repco has been contacted for comment.