By Nakiwala Barbra
Rescue efforts for Elizabeth Pollard, a 64-year-old woman believed to have fallen into a sinkhole in Marguerite, Pennsylvania, have shifted to a recovery operation. Mrs. Pollard went missing Monday night while searching for her cat, Pepper.
Officials suspect she fell into a 30-foot (9-meter) sinkhole connected to an abandoned mine that opened beneath her.
Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Stephen Limani confirmed the grim development during a press conference Wednesday, citing reduced oxygen levels in the mine despite efforts to pump in air. “I know we have a lot of hopes, and maybe there is still a glimmer of hope, but based off of oxygen levels being a little lower… it’s been difficult,” Limani said.
The unstable condition of the mine has severely hampered the two-day search. Rescuers initially attempted to clear debris using suction and water, but the fragile state of the mine forced them to expand the excavation area significantly. Cameras and microphones deployed into the mine have revealed no clear signs of Mrs. Pollard, although a shoe was spotted in the mud twice, suggesting she may be trapped nearby.
Mrs. Pollard’s son, Axel Hayes, expressed his distress during an interview with CBS News, saying, “I’m upset that she hasn’t been found yet, and I’m really just worried… I just hope she’s alive and well, that my niece still has a grandmother, that I still have a mother.” The family has been informed about the transition to a recovery phase, adding to their anguish.
Mrs. Pollard’s car was found early Tuesday behind a local restaurant, with her five-year-old granddaughter inside. Although the child was unharmed, the incident has raised concerns about the sudden and unpredictable nature of sinkholes. Officials believe the sinkhole formed as Mrs. Pollard walked above the mine, potentially collapsing the ground beneath her.
More than 100 rescuers have participated in the operation, which has been complicated by freezing surface temperatures, though the mine interior remains warmer. Officials have not detected any hazardous gases, providing a slim hope of safe conditions underground. Rescue teams have widened the initial sinkhole and created a second access point, but the recovery effort remains arduous as the community rallies around Mrs. Pollard’s family during this difficult time
