Authorities are currently conducting a search for a missing 64-year-old grandmother from Pennsylvania who is believed to have fallen into a sinkhole while looking for her cat. The incident occurred in Marguerite, an unincorporated area of Unity Township in southwestern Pennsylvania.
The grandmother, identified as Elizabeth Pollard, was reported missing by a relative after she failed to return home since Monday afternoon. Her vehicle was found parked near a restaurant with her five-year-old granddaughter inside. The young girl was unharmed despite being in the car for nearly 12 hours in freezing temperatures.
The discovery of a fresh, deep sinkhole near Pollard's vehicle raised concerns among authorities. The sinkhole, located about 15 to 20 feet away, posed challenges to the search and rescue teams due to its size and depth.
Specialized rescue crews and excavation teams were called in to assist with the search efforts. Although no sounds indicating Pollard's presence have been detected, a shoe was spotted in the sinkhole using a camera.
Officials suspect that the sinkhole may have appeared on Monday and are hopeful that Pollard may be trapped in a void within the sinkhole. The rescue teams noted that the hole still contains oxygen and is warmer than the surrounding temperatures.
Despite the difficult conditions, search operations will continue overnight as authorities remain determined to locate Pollard. The community is rallying together in the hopes of a successful outcome, emphasizing the need for luck in the ongoing search and rescue mission.