Authorities Couldn’t Save Man Trapped in Donation Box Who Called 911

A 45-year-old man is dead after he became trapped inside a donation box in Houston this week and couldn’t breathe, officials said. 

On the morning of Monday, Nov. 24, officials received a “distress call” of a man who was stuck inside a donation box, the Harris County Precinct 4 Constable’s Office said in a news alert.

The trapped man placed the call to 911 around 1:36 a.m. local time and told the operator that he couldn’t get enough air, CBS affiliate KHOU reported.

“The individual got in the box and ended up turning himself in an awkward position to where it affected his breathing,” Precinct 4 Constable Mark Herman told the station. “Even on the 911 call, he’s heard saying, ‘I can’t breathe, I’m having problems breathing.’ ”

Within three minutes, first responders arrived, Assistant Deputy Chief Danny Garza tells PEOPLE.

Officials believe that the 45-year-old man, whose name has not yet been released, was homeless and was trying to get some clothes from the structure, which was equipped with an anti-theft feature.

Garza says that the man went in headfirst, but the box started to close on top of him.

“I think just a combination of the box kind of closing up top around him and then just likely him starting to panic ultimately caused him to pass away,” Garza tells PEOPLE.

After emergency responders found the man in distress, they immediately began rescue efforts but he was declared dead at the scene.

“There’s no sign of foul play,” says Garza, describing the incident as “a tragic incident.”

The Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences, which includes the medical examiner, did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

Arms of Hope, the organization in charge of the donation box, spoke out after the death.

“We are aware of the tragic incident involving a deceased individual discovered in a donation collection box,” the Christian donation center said in a statement to KHOU. “Our hearts and prayers are with the individual and their loved ones during this difficult time. Because this is an active investigation, we are not able to share further details at this time.”

This isn’t the first time a person has become trapped in a box meant for charitable donations.

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In June, a man died after he became stuck while attempting to break into a donation box in Houston and in April 2022, a woman couldn’t get out after she tried to grab garments for her child, Fox affiliate KRIV reported. 

“These boxes are not to be accessed,” Herman, the constable, told KHOU this week. “They’re clearly designed and built that way. Stay out of these boxes.”