Rubbish heap saves man's life

A MAN who jumped out of a ninth-floor window in New York this weekend survived after he landed in a giant heap of rubbish uncollected since the city's huge snowstorm a week ago.

Vangelis Kapatos, 26, was hospitalised in critical but stable condition after jumping from his apartment in Manhattan on Sunday, authorities said.

Workers have not collected rubbish since the Boxing Day storm dumped more than 18in of snow on the city. Mounds of rubbish several feet high line many footpaths.

"Everybody is complaining that the trash hasn't been picked up," Mr Kapatos' aunt said yesterday.

"But me, I'm thankful that it was never picked up."

Police said Mr Kapatos left no suicide note before jumping.