Unity Township, Pennsylvania was sent into chaos after Elizabeth Pollard, 64, disappeared during her search to find her cat, Pepper. It happened on the night of December 2 when Pollard went out in search of the family pet near her home.
A relative reported her missing early the next morning at which time the Pennsylvania State Police launched an immediate investigation. Officers found Pollard’s car parked near a huge sinkhole, and they feared she might have fallen into the dangerous landscape.
But what heightens the concern, authorities say, is that Pollard’s 5-year-old granddaughter was found safe in the vehicle. The little girl told officials she had fallen asleep in the vehicle and then woke up to her grandmother nowhere to be found. It marked a complex start to the search operation.
Difficulty Amidst Rescue Operations
Recovery crews and experts in the Bureau of Mine Safety of the state have also been on continuous duty. Rescuers make use of sophisticated machinery and equipment like cameras to get a look into this dangerous sinkhole, knowing its unpredictable and dynamic nature while in search for Pollard.
It’s being referred to as a “big void” that varies in depth, making it even more dangerous for rescue crews. Initial findings-a shoe that presumably belonged to Pollard was found 30 feet from the surface-are giving way to some clues, yet none that offer any sort of breakthrough.
Fire Chief John Bacha sounded hopeful as he explained that the team is confident they are searching in the right area. He added that the temperature below the surface is warmer, a hopeful sign for Pollard’s survival.
The Role of Historical Mining in the Tragedy
Authorities believe that the collapse of a long-abandoned coal mine under the site might have caused the sinkhole. Run until 1952 by the H.C. Frick Coke Company, the mine’s remnants could have led to the sudden subsidence and create the hazardous void.
A representative with Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Protection corroborated intentions to study the site, once rescue work is finished, to determine if historical mining actually caused this sinkhole and what changes are required to prevent similar occurrences.
Elizabeth’s disappearance has sent shockwaves into the tight-knit community of Unity Township-thoughts are with her, and all are hoping for the best. With rescue efforts still at difficult conditions, authorities remain resolute in commitment to closure for the family. The incident also brings attention to long-forgotten hazards from mining operations and the need for vigilance in communities built upon historic sites.
