UNITY TOWNSHIP, Pa. (KDKA) – An autopsy revealed Elizabeth PollardThe Pennsylvania grandmother who fell through a sinkhole while searching for her cat suffered blunt force trauma to her head and torso, the coroner said Tuesday.
While the autopsy showed Pollard, 64, had very serious injuries, Westmoreland County Coroner Tim Carson says they can’t say whether she died instantly.
Police say Pollard fell about 30 feet into a sinkhole that emerged above an abandoned mine behind Monday’s Restaurant in Unity Township.
Pennsylvania State Police
The search for Pollard began last Tuesday after she went missing. During the search, police said they found Pollard’s car, with her 5-year-old granddaughter inside, cold but unharmed. Troopers also found a sinkhole, which they believe opened while Pollard was looking for her cat, Pepper.
Pollard’s body was found Friday after crews spent days surgically excavating dirt from the abandoned mine. Officials said they used machines to bring Pollard’s body to the surface there was fear of a collapse as crews continued to dig.
Rescuers hoped Pollard would be found alive, but eventually have brought their operation into a recovery phase. After Pollard was found Friday, officials said they wanted a better outcome but were relieved to at least provide some closure for her family.
(Photo: KDKA)
Pennsylvania is home to a third of the nation’s abandoned landmines, according to the Department of Environmental Protection. Marguerite is one of many old mining communities in Unity Township and surrounding areas.
The coroner said they are still waiting on toxicology reports, which will take a few weeks.
As for Pollard’s cat, Pepper still hasn’t been found.
