Posted: 7:32 pm EDT October 14, 2010Updated: 10:05 am EDT October 16, 2010
ALLENTOWN, Pa. -- A 55-year-old homeless man in Allentown has died in a tragic and gruesome accident. The Lehigh County coroner says Michael Dempsey was crushed to death in a trash compactor in a recycling truck. Dempsey's body was found in a recycling container dropped off at Liberty Recycling in Allentown. Andrew Maderic said Dempsey had been staying with him in Allentown, but a disagreement put Dempsey out on the streets for the last two days. "I more or less evicted him," Maderic said. "He had respect for me, he really did, but his booze was number one unfortunately." Thursday afternoon, Dempsey's body was found by Liberty workers processing a load of recycling materials. The Lehigh County Coroner says Dempsey died from compression injuries. "We believe what happened was that he sought refuge in a container, a recycling container," said Allentown Police assistant chief Joseph Hanna. "And at some point in time that container was picked up by a recycling truck." People climbing into dumpsters to escape the elements is nothing new. In fact, Human Service officials say there are dozens of spots around Allentown where it can potentially happen. The Allentown Rescue Mission has been working with the city to help get homeless people off the streets and into shelter and services. Gary Millspaugh, the group's Executive Director, says in many cases there is an underlying substance abuse problem that complicates matters. Maderic says he will miss his friend. "I'm devastated I asked him to leave." Michael Dempsey leaves behind several adult children. Copyright 2010 WFMZ. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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