A refuse worker trapped in the back of a bin lorry was freed just moments before he could have been crushed to death.
An investigation is underway in Wales amid claims the worker became trapped and was forced to scream and shout to be rescued.
The incident is said to have happened at the Caernarfon recycling transfer depot, when a member of staff went into the rear of a bin lorry, apparently to remove some loose cardboard.
A witness said the man was lucky to be alive, saying if the machine had been switched on the worker could have been "crushed to death," reports North Wales Live .
The vehicle, a Romaquip recycling wagon, has compartments into which glass, plastic and other household waste is thrown.
It is understood a member of staff was inside the cardboard section, which is equipped with a powerful compactor, when the incident took place,
The witness said: "The loader went into the back of the wagon and almost got killed. The driver did not realise he was there and shut the back door.
"If one button had been pressed he would have been crushed to death.
"The lad was shouting for help and banging and someone heard him - he was very lucky.
"Health and safety have recorded the incident and have spoken to the driver."
The source alleged other staff had not been made aware of the incident last Monday, adding: "We are all under a lot of pressure and I am concerned. I don't want this to happen again as next time it could be the case that someone dies."
Gwynedd council have confirmed that the worker was not hurt during the incident.
A spokesman said: "We can confirm that the Council is carrying out an investigation following an incident at our recycling transfer works depot at Caernarfon on Monday. We confirm that nobody was injured in the incident."
The Health and Safety Executive has been approached for comment.
