Driver 'shattered' after garbage truck hits, kills homeless man

A man, believed to be homeless, has been hit and killed by a garbage truck in an inner Sydney laneway.

The man was critically injured and trapped under the truck when he was found by paramedics at about 7.45am on Monday in Bourke Lane at Redfern.

The man, whose age is unknown, was treated at the scene but couldn't be saved, police said.

The garbage truck driver, believed to be in his 30s, was taken to hospital for mandatory testing.

City of Sydney mayor Clover Moore was at the scene and described it as a sad and tragic situation.

She said the man was a "rough sleeper" and the truck driver was "shattered".

The council also offered its condolences to family and friends of the victim.

"The City maintains rigorous safety standards and will ensure a full and thorough investigation to determine what has caused this incident," it said in a statement.