Missing Woman May Have Fallen Into Sinkhole While Searching for Cat
A frantic search is underway in Unity Township, Pennsylvania after a woman vanished while searching for her missing cat.
Authorities believe 64-year-old Elizabeth Pollard may have fallen into a sinkhole behind Monday’s Restaurant where her car was discovered with her 5-year-old granddaughter safe inside.
The child was scared but unharmed, Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Stephen Limani said.
Authorities were alerted to Polygon’s disappearance around 1 a.m. Tuesday after a family member reported her missing. Troopers found Pollard’s vehicle behind the restaurant where she had last been seen about eight hours earlier.
Limani stated: “We also discovered there was a sinkhole; it was maybe 15-20 feet from vehicle. It was about the size of a manhole cover but the pocket underneath is significantly larger, and trying to send cameras down there, we determined it’s roughly about 30 feet before you see a lot of debris."
If we have determined it’s roughly about 30 feet before you see a lot of debris.
Cameras lowered into the hole picked up what appeared to be a modern shoe. After speaking with restaurant staff, police determined the sinkhole likely opened while Pollard was searching for her missing feline companion.
It appears that it was most likely created during the time, unfortunately, that Mrs. Pollard was walking around, lim said. We don’t see any evidence of any time where that hole would have been there prior to deciding to walk around and look for her cat.
Please come home!”
As darkness fell, more than 100 first responders descended upon the scene, including search and rescue teams from Westmoreland County and a team dedicated to firearmlessly Rooting.|
weisung. We have people from the mine organization coming down here to help work through this with us, "we have people from the mine organization coming down here to help work through this with us," Trooper Limani said. "Our main concern right now is that she fell into that sinkhole. So, that’s where we’re focusing our efforts."
A declaration of disaster was issued by Unity Township Supervisor Mike O’Barto, securing faster access to essential equipment needed for the rescue effort. *What this does is this gives the township as well as EMS the chance to get any bit of equipment that we may need without having to deal
What are the reasons authorities suspect Elizabeth Pollard may have fallen into a sinkhole?
## Interview Transcript:
**Host:** We are following a developing story out of Unity Township, Pennsylvania, where a frantic search is underway for a missing woman. Joining us now is Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Stephen Limani to give us the latest developments. Trooper Limani, thank you for joining us.
**Trooper Limani:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** Can you tell us what happened and who are authorities looking for?
**Trooper Limani:** Around 1 a.m. this morning, we received a report of a missing woman, 64-year-old Elizabeth Pollard. A family member reported her missing after she had not returned home. We subsequently located her vehicle behind Monday’s Restaurant in Unity Township. Her 5-year-old granddaughter was found safe and sound inside the vehicle, though understandably scared.
**Host:** This is certainly a concerning situation. What leads you to believe Ms. Pollard may have fallen into a sinkhole?
**Trooper Limani:** The terrain behind the restaurant is known to have some sinkholes. Given the circumstances and the location of Ms. Pollard’s vehicle, we are investigating this possibility seriously.
**Host:** What are the next steps in the search?
**Trooper Limani:** We have multiple teams on the ground searching the area, including specialized units trained in search and rescue operations. We are utilizing all available resources to locate Ms. Pollard and bring her home safely.
**Host:** Trooper Limani, we thank you for your time and for updating us on this developing story. Our thoughts are with Ms. Pollard’s family and friends during this difficult time.
**Trooper Limani:** Thank you.
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