ICYMI: Pennsylvania Woman Dies After Falling Into Sinkhole While Searching for Her Cat
A heartbreaking story of love and loss: A Pennsylvania grandmother’s search for her cat takes a devastating turn in Unity Township. 🌐 #News #WestmorelandCountyPA #Pennsylvania #Accident
WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PA – A search for a missing Pennsylvania grandmother took a tragic turn when her body was found days after she fell into a deep sinkhole. Elizabeth Pollard, 64, was searching for her cat, Pepper, when the accident occurred. The shocking incident has left her family and community grieving.
Disappearance Sparks Search Efforts
Pollard was last seen on Monday evening outside the Union Restaurant on Marguerite Road in Unity Township, Pennsylvania. According to Pennsylvania State Police, Pollard and her 5-year-old granddaughter had driven to the area to look for the family’s cat. Pollard’s family grew concerned when she did not return home, prompting them to report her missing around 1 a.m. Tuesday.
Police launched a search and discovered Pollard’s car behind the restaurant early Tuesday morning. Her granddaughter was found unharmed but cold inside the vehicle. Nearby, officers located a fresh sinkhole just 15 to 20 feet from the car.
Trooper Stephen Limani told reporters, “It was about the size of a manhole cover, but the pocket underneath is significantly larger.” Cameras sent into the hole revealed it was approximately 30 feet deep with debris at the bottom.
Rescue teams from Westmoreland County quickly mobilized, using specialized equipment to remove dirt and debris. Mine safety experts also joined the effort to ensure worker safety in the unstable area.
Recovery and Family’s Grief
As search efforts continued, authorities announced on Wednesday evening that they no longer expected to find Pollard alive. Her body was discovered Friday morning, four days after the initial search began. Trooper Limani confirmed the grim news, adding that responders were still working to recover her remains.
“The family kept telling us, ‘we really want to have the body back so we can lay her to rest,’” Limani said during a Friday news conference. “As a group, we just wanted to make sure that we were able to do that.”
Elizabeth Pollard was a lifelong resident of southwestern Pennsylvania. She grew up in Jeanette, about 12 miles from Unity Township, and lived most of her adult life in the area. She was married for over 40 years and worked at Walmart.
Honoring a Life
The loss of Elizabeth Pollard has shaken her family and the community. Her love for her family, including her young granddaughter who was found unharmed, is a testament to her caring nature. The family is finding solace in their faith during this difficult time.
As they remember her life, they hold close the words of Isaiah 41:10: “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
The Pollard family has asked for privacy as they grieve and plans to release details about a memorial service in the coming days.
RELATED TOPICS: Accidents | Pennsylvania
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