Woman's leg mangled after fall into trash compactor

SALEM, Mass. -- Authorities say a Massachusetts woman trying to fetch a pair of keys that fell three stories into an apartment building's trash compactor that then turned on and mangled her leg.

Police say a 19-year-old man had accidentally dropped his keys down the trash chute at the multistory building and offered the woman $20 to help him retrieve them. Investigators say he tied a sheet to the woman and lowered her into the chute. The sheet ripped, sending her into the compactor.

The compactor switched on when she landed and broke her leg.

Police say the 38-year-old Salem woman now has a severely deformed leg. She was listed in fair condition Monday afternoon.

No charges have been filed. The incident remains under investigation.

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