A man in his 60s who was a passenger in the council vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene following the smash in Mill Street, Leominster, at 6.40am today (Tuesday November 11).
The driver and another passenger were taken to hospital for treatment for injuries which are not believed to be life-threatening.
Superintendent Helen Wain, of West Mercia Police, said: “Shortly after 6.40am this morning emergency services responded to a report a bin lorry had collided with a building in Mill Street in Leominster.
“Three people were in the vehicle at the time of the collision and it has now been confirmed that sadly a man in his 60s, who was a passenger, was pronounced dead at the scene.
“The driver and a second passenger were treated at the scene by paramedics and taken to hospital for treatment.
“Their injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.
“The building was empty and no one else was injured.
“On behalf of all agencies, our thoughts and condolences are with those involved and families affected by the incident.”
The bin lorry crashed into the side of a house (Image: Emma Trimble / SWNS)
West Midlands Ambulance Service said the occupants of the bin lorry had became trapped inside the vehicle following the crash.
One man could not be saved despite the efforts of medics while two others were left “seriously injured.”
The service said it received multiple 999 calls at around 6.45am reporting a refuse lorry had collided with a residential property on Mill Street.
The Midlands Air Ambulances from Strensham and Cosford were sent to the scene.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “Ambulance staff arrived on scene to find a significant RTC where three occupants were trapped in a bin lorry which had collided with a house.
“No occupants were inside the house at the time of the collision.
“Due to structural damage to the house, all three emergency service colleagues worked rapidly together to safely extricate the three patients.
“Sadly, one male passenger was confirmed deceased on scene.
“The driver, a man, received trauma care by ambulance staff for serious injuries before being airlifted to Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham for further emergency care.
“A second male passenger also received trauma care for serious injuries by WMAS before being airlifted to the same hospital for further trauma care.”
Residents spoke of their shock at the man’s death.
Dad-of-one Cole Porter, 33, said: “We knew it was serious due to the amount of police and emergency services here.
“It’s absolutely tragic, those guys just out doing their jobs and now one of them isn’t going back to their family.
“It looked a horrendous scene and your heart just goes out to all involved really.”
Another local resident, who wished to remain anonymous, added: “It’s really shocking and there’s been a lot of damage to the property.
“It must have gone really far into the building as well, the emergency services did a good job but it’s just extremely sad a man has lost his life.”