The body of a missing grandmother from Pennsylvania was discovered in a sinkhole above an abandoned mine, bringing a tragic end to a four-day search operation.
This is just tragic.
At a Glance
- Elizabeth Pollard, 64, was found dead in a sinkhole in Unity Township, Pennsylvania
- Pollard fell while searching for her cat and was discovered 30 feet below the surface
- The search involved over 100 people and specialized equipment
- The incident highlights risks associated with Pennsylvania’s abandoned mines
- Community concerns about mine subsidence have been renewed
Tragic Discovery Ends Four-Day Search
In a heart-wrenching conclusion to an intense search operation, the body of Elizabeth Pollard, a 64-year-old grandmother from Pennsylvania, was found in a sinkhole above an abandoned mine in Unity Township. The discovery came after four days of tireless efforts by rescue teams and community members, who had hoped for a different outcome.
Pollard’s disappearance began when she went searching for her cat, Pepper, who remains missing. Her car was found with her 5-year-old granddaughter inside, unharmed, adding a layer of urgency to the search. As days passed, the operation transitioned from a rescue to a recovery mission, with authorities facing significant challenges due to the unstable nature of the abandoned mine.
Missing grandmother's body recovered from Pennsylvania sinkhole https://t.co/P1WQ7XiCR2
— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) December 6, 2024
Extensive Search Efforts
The search for Pollard involved over 100 people, including more than two dozen fire departments and other specialized groups. Rescue teams employed a variety of techniques and equipment in their efforts to locate the missing grandmother.
“This was quite a relief. I’ll be honest with you, I felt a little defeated yesterday. It was difficult to go to bed and I wasn’t the only one,” Pleasant Unity Volunteer Fire Department Chief John Bacha said.
Initial attempts to pump oxygen into the mine were deemed unsafe, and the fragile integrity of the structure prevented rescuers from entering. As a result, the teams had to rely on specialized equipment, including cameras and a vacuum truck, to aid in the search. Despite these efforts, electronic devices initially failed to locate Pollard.
Recovery and Investigation
Pollard’s body was eventually found approximately 30 feet below the surface in the Marguerite Mine. The recovery process involved carefully removing and examining dirt for any significant items. Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Steve Limani provided details on the discovery, stating, “When she fell through the shaft and she landed and struck that mound of — we’ll call it a Hershey Kiss [shape] — it appears that she rolled or moved that 12 feet or so where our initial spot was.”
“We’re going to take that dirt and put it in separate piles. We’re going to have people reviewing that dirt, looking through it, possibly if we could find a cell phone or anything that could be of significance,” Limani said.
Authorities are now awaiting autopsy results to determine the exact cause of death. The Pollard family has requested privacy during this difficult time, and no service details have been announced.
This tragic incident has brought renewed attention to the risks associated with Pennsylvania’s numerous abandoned mines. The state is known for its old coal patch towns and is one of the areas where sinkholes are most common due to these disused underground structures.
In response to the tragedy, engineers are planning to stabilize the mine area with dirt and grout to prevent further collapses. The Department of Environmental Protection is working with federal agencies to expedite reclamation work, addressing the broader issue of mine subsidence in the region.
