The days-long search for a Pennsylvania grandmother, who fell through a sinkhole while searching for her cat, ended in tragedy when rescuers found the woman's body, authorities said Friday.
The remains of Elizabeth Pollard, 64, were found at about 11:05 a.m. about 30 feet below surface, Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Steve Limani told reporters.
Pollard was last seen around 5 p.m. on Monday in Unity Township, about 40 miles southeast of Pittsburgh. She fell through a sinkhole and into a decades-old mine shaft.
On Wednesday, state police said that the nature of search shifted from a rescue to a recovery mission.
“Obviously, it would have been best if we could have found her alive,” said Pleasant Valley Volunteer Fire Chief John Bacha, the chief of operations for the search and rescue. “We knew after a period of time that that was probably not going to be likely, unfortunately.”
The family was grateful their loved one's body was found, recovered by searchers who toiled for more than 80 hours over 3 1/2 days, officials said at the presser.
"Like to have had a better outcome," said Marguerite Fire Chief Scot Graham, the incident commander. "We were able to bring Elizabeth home."
Pollard had been reported missing by a relative Monday.
State troopers discovered her car parked near a restaurant with her 5-year-old granddaughter still inside. The granddaughter was in good condition despite freezing temperatures, police said.
About 15 to 20 feet from Pollard’s car, authorities found the sinkhole.
With the rescue and recovery complete, engineers will work to fortify any points of possible erosion.
"They’re going to talk about putting a grout in there, eventually and shoring up the entire entire area," Limani said.
With abandoned mines dotting much of southwestern Pennsylvania, authorities urged residents to keep an eye out for possible sinkholes and call the state.
"My hope is that a tragedy like this never happens again," Unity Township Supervisor Mike O’Barto said.
