Authorities recovered the body of Elizabeth Pollard, the 64-year-old woman who tragically fell through a sinkhole while searching for her cat in Unity Township, Pennsylvania. Pollard’s body was found Friday after an extensive, multi-day effort involving dozens of emergency personnel and specialized equipment to excavate the abandoned coal mine beneath the sinkhole.
Body of 64-year-old woman who fell in sinkhole found at the site of abandoned PA mine
READ MORE: https://t.co/C45cmP412Y#sinkhole #search #rescue #westmorelandcounty #unitytownship #pa #pennsylvania #news #localnews #mine #abandoned pic.twitter.com/GJLcLshUuY— CBS 21 News (@CBS21NEWS) December 7, 2024
Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Steve Limani confirmed that Pollard’s body was located about 12 feet away from the initial sinkhole opening, approximately 30 feet below the surface. Rescuers worked for 80 hours, removing dirt to navigate the mine’s unstable conditions. The discovery brought some solace to Pollard’s grieving family, though questions remain about the circumstances of her fall.
“This was quite a relief,” said John Bacha, Chief of the Pleasant Unity Volunteer Fire Department. “I felt a little defeated yesterday… but being able to provide closure for the family is something we’re all grateful for.”
Pollard’s disappearance on Monday night sparked an intense search after police found her car parked near Monday’s Union Restaurant on Marguerite Road. Inside the vehicle was her 5-year-old granddaughter, who was cold but unharmed. Nearby, authorities discovered the sinkhole, which they believe opened as Pollard was searching for her missing cat, Pepper.
Searchers think they have found body of Pa. woman who fell into sinkhole https://t.co/N1S8PgxgB8
— The Morning Call (@mcall) December 6, 2024
Rescue efforts transitioned from a search to a recovery mission on Wednesday after no signs of life were detected. Using hand-drawn mine maps from the 1940s, crews navigated the abandoned mine to locate Pollard’s remains. Limani described the underground site as “a mini town” and emphasized the structural dangers that hindered their work.
Pollard’s family has requested privacy and has not yet announced service details. Authorities encourage residents to report any signs of ground instability to the Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation.