A Search for a Grandmother and Her Lost Pet Cat
Initial Discovery and the Little Girl's Account
When authorities arrived, they found Pollard's 5-year-old granddaughter still inside the vehicle. It was parked near a newly formed giant sinkhole, leading first responders to believe the woman had fallen in. The little girl was said to be safe but informed authorities that she "nodded off in the car and woke up" and "Grandma never came back," as stated by Trooper Steve Limani.This initial discovery set off a series of events as authorities realized the gravity of the situation. The search for Elizabeth Pollard began in earnest, with excavators and rescue teams working to remove dirt and lower cameras to assist in the search. The state's Bureau of Mine Safety joined in the efforts to find the missing grandmother.
As the search continued, a shoe possibly belonging to Pollard was found "about 30 feet (9 meters) below the surface." This discovery gave hope to the rescue team, but the process remained long and tedious. Marguerite Fire Chief Scot Graham described the sinkhole as a "big void" with different depths, adding to the complexity of the rescue operation.
Rescue Efforts and the Hope for a Rescue Mission
Excavators and rescue teams have been working tirelessly to access the sinkhole and search for Pollard. Pleasant Valley Volunteer Fire Chief John Bacha assured the community that rescue efforts would continue despite the drop in temperature at night. He pointed out that it is warmer below the surface, which could give Pollard's loved ones some hope.Limani echoed Bacha's statement, adding that they are "pretty confident we are in the right place. We're hoping there is still a void she could be in." This confidence in the search location has kept the rescue team focused and determined.
The fact that the void is believed to have opened up above a former coal mine, last operated by the H.C. Frick Coke Company in 1952, adds another layer of complexity to the rescue operation. A spokesperson for Pennsylvania's Department of Environmental Protection said that as soon as the sinkhole area is secured, the department will investigate the site to determine if this issue is the result of historic mine subsidence.
The Fate of Pepper, the Missing Pet Cat
While the focus is on finding Elizabeth Pollard, Pepper, her pet cat, has yet to be found. The search for both the grandmother and the cat continues, with the hope that they will be reunited soon.The community remains on edge as the rescue efforts progress. Every day brings new hope and new challenges as the search team works to bring Elizabeth Pollard home.
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.