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CBS NEWS
Davenport, IA - Michael Bitterman says he's just thankful he was in the right place at the right time.
Michael's regular route takes him to Bettie Mantzke's house, but on Wednesday he noticed something was a little off.
"I noticed her mail had been piling up and i saw the newspapers, " as Michael got closer to bettie's door he heard her yelling for help.
"I heard her yelling for help, telling me to call the police, call 9-1-1 and I told her I did and then she told me break down the door. So I kicked and kicked and got it open."
Michael found Bettie lying on the floor.
"She was talkative and alert for four days without food or water she seemed like she was pretty alert."
Call him a good samaritan or a guardian angel, either way Michael came to her rescue.
"I feel blessed, I actually feel like I was saved in a way. Real lucky, it's a weird feeling. I've never had to do this before and I'm grateful that I got a chance to do it."
Michael says sometimes a mail carrier is the only bright face an elderly resident sees. He says he's never seen any family at Bettie's house, so he always looks out for her.
"You just never know when somebody might need your help. Be elderly or not, it could be somebody else that falls and needs help. You just never know."
Bettie is in the hospital recovering. Michael has already been there to visit her.
Marissa Pendergrass, CBS 4