The search for a Pennsylvania grandmother who fell through a sinkhole while looking for her cat ended in tragedy when her body was found 30 feet below the surface. Elizabeth Pollard, 64, was last seen in Unity Township and fell into a decades-old mine shaft. The search shifted from rescue to recovery, and after more than 80 hours of effort, Pollard’s body was recovered. Her car was found with her 5-year-old granddaughter inside, unharmed. Engineers will work to fortify the area to prevent future incidents. Authorities in southwestern Pennsylvania urged residents to be vigilant for sinkholes and report any potential dangers. The family expressed gratitude that Pollard’s body was found and brought home. The incident commander, Scot Graham, acknowledged the tragic outcome but praised the effort put into the search and recovery. Unity Township Supervisor Mike O’Barto expressed hope that such a tragedy would never happen again in the community. Marlene Lenthang is a breaking news reporter for NBC News Digital, while David K. Li is a senior breaking news reporter. Tim Stelloh and Brittany Kubicko also contributed to the reporting.
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