• Homeless man gets trapped inside a donation box while searching for clothes

• He struggled to breathe before emergency responders arrived

A 45-year-old man died after becoming trapped inside a clothing donation box in Houston, USA, and was unable to breathe, authorities said.

Authorities received a distress call reporting a man stuck inside the box, according to the Harris County Precinct 4 Constable’s Office.

The report said the man called 911, telling the operator he could not get enough air.

Constable Mark Herman said, “The individual got into the box and ended up in an awkward position that affected his breathing. Even during the 911 call, he is heard saying, ‘I can’t breathe, I’m having trouble breathing.’”

Rescue teams arrived within three minutes, according to Assistant Deputy Chief Danny Garza.

Officials believe the man, whose name has not been released, was homeless and was attempting to get some clothes from the box, which was equipped with an anti-theft feature.

Garza noted that the man went in headfirst, but the box began to close on top of him. He added, “I think the combination of the box closing around him and him starting to panic ultimately caused his death.”

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