Bin there, done that: Australian firefighters tackle first bin rescue

0 Comments | AFP, April, 2005

MELBOURNE, Australia (AFP) — Firefighters in the Australian city of Melbourne have successfully tackled their most bizarre rescue -- freeing a teenage reveller who got himself trapped head-first in a rubbish bin.

The 18-year-old began rummaging in the bin when one of his friends threw his mobile phone into it and then found he couldn't get out.

"He was trapped in the bin with his arm and head through the stainless steel top of the bin, a bit like a lobster trap," said Peter Yeoman of the fire brigade's rescue squad, who were called to the Fitzroy Street bar strip in St Kilda district.

A large crowd of revellers enjoyed the unexpected entertainment as firefighters unscrewed the stainless steel lid from the bin and then tried in vain to free the man by...