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Pollard was found "about 12 feet southwest of where the original sinkhole occurred," Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Steve Limani said at a press conference on Friday afternoon, Dec. 6. “During the course of the removal of dirt and sifting through things, we did find Elizabeth,” Limani said. She was located at approximately 11:05 a.m. local time.
"We found her approximately 30 feet below the surface of where the mine would have sat. ” Limani added. The sinkhole was "shape-like a Hershey kiss."
Marguerite Fire Chief Scot Graham, the incident commander, noted that crews extricated Pollard's body from the hole with the use of machinery because "it was not safe to send anybody down."
In total the operation to find Elizabeth Pollard took over 82 hours over three days and involved local (Marguerite and Unity Township), Westmoreland County, and state workers including the PEMA team from Harrisburg.
Her body has been taken to the coroner’s office for an autopsy to determine her official cause and manner of death.
The PA Department of Environmental Protection reminded the public that Pennsylvania is home to one-third of the nation's abandoned mines. Anyone who sees any kind of depression in the ground or sinkhole opening can call the Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation at 814-472-1800.
You can watch the complete press conference in the player below.
ORIGINAL:
A massive search effort is underway for a 64-year-old grandmother who may have fallen into a 30-foot sinkhole while looking for her missing cat in Unity Township, Pennsylvania, authorities said on Tuesday, Dec. 3.
Elizabeth Pollard disappeared on Monday afternoon while out with her 5-year-old granddaughter searching for her cat, Pepper, Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Stephen Limani said at a press conference.
The young girl was discovered safe around 2:50 a.m. Tuesday in her grandmother’s vehicle, which was parked near a large sinkhole behind Monday’s Union Bar and Grille, according to local reports.
Emergency crews have been working to excavate the area, but as of Tuesday morning, no sign of Pollard had been found. State police are collaborating with the Bureau of Mines to assist in the search.
“Right now, we are in rescue mode,” Trooper Limani emphasized during the press conference.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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