The search for a woman, believed to have fallen into an old mine in Westmoreland County while searching for a cat, continues.
Pennsylvania State Police, fire and rescue crews, along with the Bureau of Mine Safety have been searching for 64-year-old Elizabeth Pollard for well over 24 hours, but remain optimistic they will find her alive.
The sinkhole drop is around 30 feet.
PA State Trooper Clifford Greenfield gave an updated during a news conference at noon on Wednesday.
Over 100 emergency personnel have been part of the efforts that got complicated early Wednesday morning.
Due to deteriorating conditions in the mine crews are no longer able to enter the mine with cameras and other technology currently being used as digging and excavation continues.
We’re moving forward, but we’re not sending rescuers into the mines, it is way too unstable,” said Pleasant Unity VFD Chief John Bacha. “The roof of the mine has collapsed in several places, its unstable, that’s the biggest problem.”
Crews are using equipment to try and stabilize the mine and while there is still hope Ms. Pollard will be found alive, officials recognize that time is of the essence.