It was a tight and uncomfortable squeeze for a mother opossum carrying a pouch full of babies after she became trapped between a fence post in Lynbrook on Monday.

Animal rescuers say the mother made desperate attempts to free herself but was unable to break loose, leaving her stranded until help arrived.

That help came when animal rescuer John DeBacker and an officer from the Lynbrook Police Department responded to the scene.

Together, they were able to safely remove both the mother and her babies.

DeBacker said the mother sustained severe injuries, but she is expected to make a full recovery and will raise her babies under the care of a wildlife rehabilitator.