PEMBERTON TOWNSHIP, N.J. (AP) – Police say an elderly woman may have spent as long as three days trapped in a large recycling bucket in her garage before being rescued.

Police say 76-year-old Mary Davis was conscious and happy to be found when officers discovered her around 8 a.m. Tuesday. She was taken to Virtua Hospital in Mount Holly to be examined.

It’s believed Davis accidentally fell backward and became wedged in the 3-foot tall, 20-gallon plastic recycling drum, possibly after being knocked off balance by her cocker spaniel.

Neighbors in the suburban community about 15 miles south of Trenton described Davis as a “small, frail” woman who has had hip and knee surgeries.

Police were called after neighbor Michele Ayala-Godwin became concerned that Davis hadn’t answered her phone or door for three days.

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Information from: Burlington County Times, http://www.phillyburbs.com/burlington county times

AP-ES-03-03-09 2234EST