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Newcastle Herald
Newcastle Herald
National
Anna Falkenmire

'Truly saddened': man's body found wedged in donation bin chute

A passerby noticed human legs hanging from the chute just before 4.30am on February 20. Picture by Marina Neil
The bins were removed from near the Westfield at Tuggerah. Picture by Marina Neil
The charity bins were taped off on February 20 after the man's body was found. Picture by Marina Neil
The charity donation bins were located under the overpass near Westfield at Tuggerah. Picture by Marina Neil
The charity bins were cleared on Tuesday, February 20. Picture by Marina Neil
The charity bin was removed from the Westfield at Tuggerah. Picture by Marina Neil

A POLICE investigation into how a man died trapped in a donation bin chute is continuing after a passerby made the shocking discovery on Tuesday.

Forensic officers were seen combing the scene and the row of clothing bins were removed after emergency services were called to a shopping centre at Tuggerah, on the Central Coast, at about 4.30am on February 20.

A member of the public reported human legs hanging from a clothing donation bin on Wyong Road near the Westfield.

A NSW Police spokesperson said the man was found "wedged inside the chute" of the clothing bin.

He had already sadly died and his body was removed.

Police established a crime scene and launched an investigation, with officers working to piece together how the man died.

Blue tarpaulins were set up while emergency services worked on Tuesday morning and the row of donation bins were taped off, before being removed from the location by midday.

Westfield security officers were also seen keeping people clear of the area.

The exact circumstances surrounding the incident were not clear on Tuesday, but the Newcastle Herald understands the man's death was misadventure, and not being treated as suspicious.

The organisation behind the donation bins, SCRgroup, broke its silence on Tuesday afternoon.

"We are truly saddened to hear that a person has been found dead within one of our clothing donation hubs in NSW today," executive chair Joe Carbone told the Herald.

Mr Carbone said SCRgroup took community safety very seriously.

The organisation has more than 1600 clothing hubs across Australia which accept shoes, clothing and accessories.

Anyone with information has been urged to contact police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via the online portal.

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