A major search operation is underway for Elizabeth Pollard, a 64-year-old grandmother from Unity Township, Pennsylvania, who is believed to have fallen down a 30-foot sinkhole. Pollard went missing late Monday evening after she set out to find her missing cat, Pepper. Her 5-year-old granddaughter was luckily found safe asleep in Pollard's car, which was located near the sinkhole. This alarming incident has sparked widespread concern as rescue efforts continue.
According to reports, Pollard had not been seen for more than 40 hours before authorities began searching for her. Her family called the police around 1:00 AM on Tuesday when Pollard failed to return home. At approximately 3:00 AM, the Pennsylvania State Police discovered her car parked behind the Union Bar and Grille, with the little girl inside.
Rescue teams believe the sinkhole opened after Pollard walked over the area, as Trooper Steve Limani explained, "The sinkhole appears to have been created during the time Ms. Pollard was walking around. We don’t see a time when it would have been created earlier." A camera lowered inside the hole revealed something resembling a shoe approximately 30 feet beneath the surface, but rescue crews have not detected any signs of life using listening devices.
The search has taken on new urgency and risk as engineers from the Pennsylvania Bureau of Environmental Protection have reported concerns about the integrity of the abandoned Marguerite Mine, associated with the sinkhole. Limani mentioned, "The integrity of the mine is starting to become compromised," indicating the potential for dangerous conditions for search crews. Water is being pumped down to help clear the clay and dirt, but this may result in additional subsidence, complicate efforts, and put rescuers at risk.
Efforts initially included using vacuum trucks to extract the debris from the sinkhole to allow rescue operations easier access. Around 100 emergency responders participated, with some relying on specialized equipment to monitor conditions within the sinkhole. Yet the search was increasingly fraught with danger due to the likely structural instability caused by the mine's conditions.
Pollard's niece, Tabitha Pollard, shared her family's sentiments during this challenging time, stating, "My uncle just wants to say thanks for everybody’s prayers. We appreciate everybody’s support. Right now, all we’re really doing is hoping for the best." Elizabeth's son, Axel Hayes, expressed mixed feelings about the situation, saying, "I’m upset she hasn’t been found yet, and I’m really just worried about whether she’s still down there."
Sinkholes can develop when the ground below the surface becomes unstable, often exacerbated by human activity like mining. They tend to form where underground voids have developed due to the dissolution of deposits like limestone. This makes areas such as Unity Township, where coal mining has historically been prevalent, particularly susceptible to ground collapses. Given this background, it's no surprise sinkholes are not rare occurrences. Authorities mentioned the Marguerite Mine, which ceased operations more than 70 years ago, could be the source of this specific sinkhole.
Rescue officials remain hopeful about Pollard's fate. Limani conveyed, "Until you’re telling us there’s no chance, there’s a chance. I know there might be mathematical difficulties or maybe some science, but there’s people who were in mines… they were in them longer and were recovered and saved." Despite the risks posed, they stress the importance of keeping the search alive.
Efforts to locate Pollard are complicated by descending nighttime temperatures, which dropped below freezing overnight. Rescuers are taking extra precautions. Chief John Bacha of Pleasant Valley Volunteer Fire Department remains optimistic, stating, “We are pretty confident we are in the right place. We’re hoping there is still a void she could be in.”
Pollard's family and community are holding onto hope during this distressing time, with the entire area on edge. The search operation, involving multiple agencies, is still considered active with plans to adapt and improve rescue tactics as necessary.
