Alberta clothing donation bin deaths

From July 20, 2017, to May 27, 2019, Jessey Neil O'Quinn, Ross Rodney Jackson, and Amara Rose Meyer, a 24-year-old man from Calgary, Alberta, Canada, a 33-year-old man also from Calgary, and a 41-year-old woman from Medicine Hat, Alberta, died after becoming trapped in clothing donation bins in Calgary and Medicine Hat. O'Quinn was found with his head and arms trapped in a Diabetes Canada clothing donation bin in the North Hill Centre parking lot, Jackson was found unresponsive and trapped in a Calgary donation bin after closed-circuit television camera footage captured him entering the bin and being trapped, and Meyer lost her footing while leaning into a Salvation Army clothing donation bin in Medicine Hat and becoming trapped, leading to the deaths of all three individuals. This lead formal provincial fatality inquiry, and suggestions to develop minimum safety standards for clothing donation bins.

Background

The deaths occurred in clothing donation bins in Calgary, Alberta, and Medicine Hat, Alberta, serving as collection points for used clothing, shoes, and textiles. The bins were operated by Diabetes Canada, Calgary Hillhurst Sunnyside Community Centre, and the Salvation Army.

Incidents

On July 20, 2017, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, a passerby found O'Quinn with his head and arms trapped in an opening of a donation bin, operated by Diabetes Canada in the North Hill Centre parking lot at around 3:45 a.m. and called 911. First responders freed him, but O'Quinn was pronounced dead at the scene. Reports noted that multiple bruises and cuts were found on his neck, indicating that he had been struggling and attempted to free himself, but he ultimately died from asphyxiation.

On June 25, 2018, at Foothills Medical Centre, closed-circuit television camera footage captured a recording of Jackson climbing inside and coming out of two other clothing donation bins in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. When he climbed into the third clothing donation bin, he lost his grip and became stuck, compressing his neck repeatedly and damaging his brain tissue as a result to a lack of oxygen. A passerby spotted his legs hanging out of the bin, calling 911. Jackson was immediately taken to hospital and put on life support. It was determined that he suffered a brain injury from lack of oxygen. On June 27, 2018, Jackson died as a result to complications of external neck compressions.

On May 27, 2019, closed-circuit television camera footage recorded Meyer rummaging in a Salvation Army donation bin in Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada. She leaned into the clothing donation bin, and suddenly appeared to lose her grip, becoming trapped. The footage captured her appearing to be struggling, before becoming motionless. A friend found her and called 911, and she was pronounced dead at the scene. She suffered traumatic neck injuries and suffocation. A medical examiner added that she also received two puncture wounds to her neck from the spikes attached to the door mechanism, concluding her cause of death as "compression to the neck by a penetrating stab wound".

Aftermath

It was determined that the three victims were suffering from homelessness and [...] addiction, and ruled their deaths accidental.

On January 2, 2025, representatives from Diabetes Canada, Calgary Hillhurst Sunnyside Community Centre, and a Calgary Salvation Army pastor, claimed they have taken steps to prevent similar actions, such as by adding warning signs and commissioning a new, safer style of bin, adding that a judge, named Justice Williams, said the bins could be made safer, with recommendations for the province to consult bin manufacturers, charities, and non profit organizations with donation bin programs.

Williams added that the consultation "should focus on the creation of minimum safety standards," also adding that any potential standards should have a minimal impact to existing bins, in order to allow simple modifications, also adding to consider future textile donation bins imported into Alberta, and a requirement of safety certification, such as adding warning signs and removing the spikes, sending a letter of the report and recommendations to Municipal Affairs. The report said they are considering the recommendations.