Rubbish night? Drunk couple rescued from bin lorry after falling asleep inside dumpster

A drunken couple had to be rescued after falling asleep inside a bin which was then emptied into a rubbish truck, police say.

The couple - who had visited a nearby casino in Tampa, Florida - were unconscious in the bin when it was emptied into the back of a lorry in the early hours of Wednesday.

The driver was alerted when he heard banging and screaming from the back of the vehicle, Hillsborough County Sheriff department said.

Rescue crews were called and helped remove the couple, aged 37 and 49, from the truck.

They were taken to hospital after complaining of back pain.

"It was initially believed they were homeless, but it seems they were just really intoxicated," a police statement said.

Authorities said the couple were fortunate the incident occurred at the start of the dustman's shift otherwise they may have been crushed.

The dustman reportedly told officers in the 911 call: "I got two people..stuck in the truck.

"I almost killed both of them."