Woman Falls 10 Stories Down a Dumpster in New Jersey

A woman, described as “paranoid,” fell ten stories down a trash chute in an apartment complex in New Jersey. Authorities suspect she was both high and intoxicated when the incident occurred.

The 25-year-old screamed as she went down a chute measuring three feet wide in Hackensack around 1 p.m. on Sunday. Reports indicate she was visiting friends in the building and exhibited signs of paranoia before leaving, according to witnesses.

Maciel Gutierrez was disposing of boxes in the garbage room on the seventh floor when the incident unfolded. “She was screaming in another language,” he shared, expressing that he was so frightened he ran away.

However, he paused—perhaps thinking someone might need help—and mentioned hearing a resident from the 14th floor knocking before the fall occurred.

Firefighters arrived but initially could not locate the woman. Somehow, she managed to make her way to the fourth floor. Unfortunately, she became trapped in the chute as the trash backed up.

Details surrounding why she fell into the chute remain unclear, but police believe substance use played a role. Firefighters revealed that it took them about 28 minutes to extricate her. “She was in a place that wasn’t accessible,” Hackensack Fire Department Chief Keith Lozaza explained.

Prior to the rescue, the team had to cut through the chute panels and brace for a possible wall collapse. Fortunately, they were able to remove debris from the chute’s bottom, allowing them to rescue her safely.

She was taken to the hospital with serious injuries to her lower body, while one firefighter sustained a cut on his arm during the operation.

As of now, building officials have not commented on the incident.