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Homeless man found dead in Canton landfill

Saturday, March 31, 2007


CANTON (AP) -- A homeless man found dead in a landfill likely fell asleep in a trash bin and then was crushed inside a truck that hauled garbage to the site, authorities said.
A landfill worker found the body of James Bryant Jr., 51, about 7 a.m. Thursday while moving trash at the Countywide Recycling and Disposal Facility.
Bryant suffered "massive crushing injuries" and multiple broken bones, according to preliminary autopsy results from the Stark County coroner's office.
Bryant spent Tuesday night at a Canton shelter, and witnesses reported seeing him walking city streets around 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, sheriff's Capt. Gary Shankle said.
About 400 trucks enter the landfill daily, coming from as far as Cleveland, said Tim Vandersall, general manager and engineer.
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