Pemberton woman rescued after days stuck in recycling can
A 76-year-old Burlington County woman who hadn't been seen for several days was discovered in her garage today trapped in a recycling bucket.
A 76-year-old Burlington County woman who hadn't been seen for several days was discovered in her garage today trapped in a recycling bucket.
Mary Davis was found when concerned neighbors and police came to her rescue. It isn't clear how long Davis was stuck, but residents of her Pemberton Township neighborhood said she had not been seen for three days when they called authorities.
Davis' cocker spaniel, Dusty, knocked her off balance, police said, causing her to fall rear-first into a tall, cylindrical bin.
When police arrived this morning, a neighbor's son wriggled through a dog door at Davis' residence and unlocked the house. The group discovered Davis in the garage, disoriented but uninjured.
"She was responsive and happy to be found," police said in a statement.
Davis was taken to Virtua Hospital in Mount Holly, where she is recovering from dehydration but no other serious ailments.
Michele Ayala, who lives around the corner, was one of those who found Davis. She said she checks in regularly on the teacher's aide, who has been a family friend for decades.
"It's like a buddy system here," Ayala said.
When it started to snow on Sunday night, she called her neighbor to ask if she would like Ayala's 14-year-old son, Kazon Godwin, to shovel Davis' walk. When no one answered, Ayala figured Davis may have been out and decided to stay with friends rather than travel in the bad weather.
Ayala feared something might be wrong on Monday night, after Davis' daughter called to say she couldn't reach her mother either.
They met police this morning at Davis' door, and Godwin forced his way in. They found Davis, who was cold and grateful.
"She was very shaken, very weak," Ayala said.
Davis works in the Pemberton Township school district, Ayala said, despite having had hip replacement surgery and two knee operations.
Gwen Ayala, Michele's mother, visited Davis at the hospital.
"She's alert, and hopefully she's going to be OK," Ayala said. "She has survival skills."
Michele Ayala said she was glad that Davis fell in the bin, and not on the garage's concrete floor.
"I'm just thankful that Miss Mary is alive and on the road to recovery," she said.
Contact staff writer Allison Steele at 856-779-3838 or asteele@phillynews.com.
