Rescue operations are currently underway in Unity Township, Pennsylvania, where a 64-year-old woman has gone missing after reportedly falling into a sinkhole while searching for her lost cat, Pepper.
Elizabeth Pollard’s family alerted authorities early Tuesday morning when she failed to return home after her search on Monday evening. In a desperate effort to locate her, police found her car parked at a nearby restaurant, with her 5-year-old granddaughter safely inside.
According to a state police spokesperson, the conditions around the sinkhole, caused by subsidence from an abandoned coal mine, have presented challenges for rescuers. Trooper Steve Limani commented that the integrity of the mine is compromised and that the team would need to adjust their strategy to protect their safety while continuing the search.
Efforts to search the sinkhole included lowering cameras equipped with listening devices. Although no signs of Pollard were detected initially, a camera captured an image of what could be her shoe about 30 feet below ground. First responders described the sinkhole as unexpectedly large, likely opening up while Pollard was standing on it.
Search teams are employing heavy machinery to excavate the area, carefully navigating the risks posed by unstable ground. Pleasant Valley Fire Chief John Bacha expressed optimism, stating, “We are pretty confident we’re in the right place. We’re hoping there is still a void she could be in.”
Searchers have been working tirelessly and are committed to finding Pollard, as community support and prayers pour in for her safe return. The incident has raised concerns about sinkholes in the region, a situation often linked to past mining activities, which create voids underground.
As authorities continue their search, Pollard’s son expressed deep concern, clinging to hope for his mother’s safety. “Right now, I just hope she’s alive and well,” he shared, echoing the sentiments of many residents who are now closely following the ongoing rescue efforts.
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection plans to investigate the cause of the sinkhole once the search concludes. As this tragic situation unfolds, it serves as a reminder of the potential dangers associated with past mining operations still affecting the area today.
