A multi-day search for a Pennsylvania grandmother who fell into a sinkhole while searching for her cat ended in tragedy when rescue workers discovered the woman’s body, authorities said Friday.
Pennsylvania State Police Officer Steve Limani told reporters that the body of Elizabeth Pollard, 64, was found about 11:05 a.m. about 30 feet off the ground.
Pollard was last seen around 5 p.m. Monday in Unity Township, about 60 miles southeast of Pittsburgh. She fell through a sinkhole into a decades-old mineshaft.
State police announced Wednesday that the nature of the search had shifted from a rescue to a recovery mission.
“Obviously, it would have been best if we found her alive,” said John Basha, chief of the Pleasant Valley Volunteer Fire Department and director of search and rescue operations. “After a while, I realized unfortunately that probably wasn’t going to happen.”
Officials said at a news conference that the family is grateful that their loved one’s body was found and recovered by searchers who spent more than 80 hours over three and a half days.
“I think we could have had a better outcome,” said Margaret Fire Chief Scott Graham, the incident commander. “We were able to bring Elizabeth home.”
Pollard was reported missing by relatives on Monday.
State troopers found her 5-year-old granddaughter still in her car, which was parked near the restaurant. Police said the granddaughter was in good health despite subzero temperatures.
Authorities discovered the sinkhole about 15 to 20 feet from Pollard’s car.
Once rescue and restoration is complete, engineers will work to strengthen potential areas of erosion.
“They’re going to talk about grouting there and eventually reinforcing the whole area,” Limani said.
Abandoned mines dot much of southwestern Pennsylvania, and officials urged residents to be aware of potential cave-ins and to notify the state.
“My hope is that a tragedy like this never happens again,” said Unity Township Supervisor Mike Obert.
Tim Stelloh and Brittany Kubicko contributed.
