Rescue teams in Pennsylvania are working tirelessly to locate a woman who vanished after the ground gave way beneath her, reports Digi24.
The incident has drawn attention to the dangers posed by hidden sinkholes, a risk in areas with old mines.
These unexpected collapses can lead to tragedies, as appears to be the case in this small Pennsylvania town.
Elizabeth Pollard, a 64-year-old woman, disappeared Monday evening while searching for her cat.
She was last seen near her parked car in the town of Marguerite. Her five-year-old granddaughter was waiting in the vehicle, unharmed.
Family members reported Pollard missing when she failed to return, and authorities quickly launched a search.
Police officers found the area where Pollard was believed to have been. A large hole about 30 feet deep had opened, exposing an abandoned coal mine.
Initial responders nearly fell into the same opening, which appears small on the surface but expands underground.
To investigate, rescue teams have used cameras and microphones lowered into the hole. While they haven’t located Pollard, the devices captured what looks like a shoe, raising hopes that she might still be found.
The sinkhole is highly unstable, making rescue efforts challenging. Mining experts are assisting, and more than 100 people are involved in the search.
Teams have also begun digging a new access point to safely reach the underground void where Pollard might have taken shelter.
Stephen Limani, a spokesperson for the Pennsylvania State Police, explained that the hole may have formed unexpectedly as Pollard walked over it.
“There’s no evidence the sinkhole existed before she left to search for her cat,” he said. The hole’s surface resembles a sewer opening, but it grows larger below ground.
The community is anxiously awaiting updates as the search continues. Authorities remain hopeful that Pollard can be rescued, though the unstable terrain and size of the collapse make the situation increasingly dire.
For now, rescuers are doing everything possible to bring her back to safety.
