CT Firefighter, Paramedic Save Woman in Compactor
NEW LONDON, CT— A woman who was nearly crushed inside a trash compactor Wednesday afternoon was transferred to Yale New Haven Hospital and is in critical condition, police Capt. Brian Wright said Thursday morning.
Police said the about 40-year-old woman apparently climbed into the outdoor unit from inside the NSA Supermarket at 332 S. Frontage Road.
Store employees had been looking for the woman, who allegedly stole items including beer from the store, but didn’t find her until an employee put cardboard down a chute, turned the compactor on and heard screaming from inside.
Two store employees tried to rescue her but ultimately a firefighter and a Lawrence + Memorial Hospital paramedic freed the woman, who was conscious at the time.
A crew took the woman to L+M but she later was transferred to Yale New Haven Hospital.
Wright said police are not yet releasing her identity as they continue to investigate how and why the woman was in the compactor. He said it’s too soon to say whether she’ll face criminal charges.
Wright said police have contacted the state’s attorney’s office and the local Occupational Safety and Health Administration's office to help review the incident and try to prevent it from happening again.
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