The body of a woman who went missing after falling into a mine shaft in Unity Township has been recovered.
Relative Reverend Richard Wingfield and PA State Trooper Steve Limani
Pennsylvania State Police Community Service Officer Steve Limani confirmed the news to KDKA Radio’s Marty Griffin Friday morning.
64-year-old Elizabeth Pollard was reportedly looking for a missing cat Monday evening when she fell into a sinkhole.
The area Ms. Pollard was searching was above an old, abandoned coal mine and fell about 30 feet.
Her vehicle was found nearby around 3 a.m. Tuesday morning with her 5-year-old granddaughter inside, unharmed.
Reverend Richard Wingfield, a relative of the Pollard family tells KDKA Radio’s Marty Griffin while it is a terrible tragedy, there is at least some resolution.
“There is relief with this . . . because nobody likes to be held in limbo,” said Wingfield, adding his appreciation the over 100 first responders that have worked to find Elizabeth.
Due to deteriorating conditions earlier in the week, mine crews were no longer able to enter the mine and had to use cameras and other technology as digging and excavation continues.
Construction crews from Ligonier were said to are closing in Thursday on the area of an abandoned Westmoreland County mine where Elizabeth Pollard's body was believed to be.
Searchers were expected to drill holes to drop cameras into the mine.