Unity Township, PA. (KDKA) – It will take at least a full day of digging to find the woman believed to be dead. swallowed by a sinkhole behind a restaurant in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, state police said.
“Unless it's a miracle, most likely [a] recovery [effort]” said Trooper Stephen Limani of the Pennsylvania State Police.
Pennsylvania State Police
In the press conference on Wednesday at 5 pmState police said rescue efforts were underway for the 64-year-old man. elizabeth pollard Now the recovery effort has moved on.
Police, firefighters, mining experts and search and rescue teams have spent almost two full days digging, shoring up and searching an abandoned coal mine behind Monday's Restaurant on Marguerite Road in Unity Township.
State police said Pollard likely fell into a manhole-sized sinkhole behind the restaurant sometime between Monday evening and early Tuesday morning. She was looking for her cat at that time.
Earlier on Wednesday, the state police had said that the mine has become unstable and it is no longer safe for search teams to enter and work in it. Now, they are planning to excavate the area further.
“Because of the critical condition of the mine, we had to change what we were trying to do,” Limani said. “We were basically trying to remove dirt and debris and rocks, and even using water to soften the debris or even push it out of our way. 1733359440 Where we have to dig up a huge area to try to secure the mine, which is four times the size of the area we originally did, so that we can get to it and try to recover it. Can do.
Ligonier Construction was called in to help dig up the old mine.
“It's basically bits of wood and a little rock walls and plywood, and it's been there for 75 years,” Limani said. “It's at the same temperature, it's basically encapsulated, and it's basically 55ish degrees and it's been that way for so long. Now we're introducing freezing cold water, a variety of temperatures, You're creating a very difficult environment with delicate materials and those are some of the obstacles we've faced.”
So far, state police have said they have no idea where Pollard ended up after the fall. They have not heard any sound or noise from the mine.
However, Limani said he saw a single shoe in the dirt and mud a second time.
He said the space they are working on is as fragile as a “house of cards”.
“Now you've built that house and you're trying to pour out high-powered water inside that house to take out the stones and remove the dirt and break up the soil and take it out, all the while you're playing cards. live around, it's about how fragile it is,” he said.
State police have informed Pollard's family that the operation is progressing into the recovery phase.
“It's just a matter of finding him and trying to do right by his family,” Limani said. “We had a conversation with them a few hours ago about where we think the investigation will go. I know we have a lot of expectations, and maybe there's still a ray of hope, but with the oxygen levels getting a little bit lower, “Even though we pumped oxygen into the mine, it's less than you want for someone to try and maintain their life.”
Even the staff working at the spot had difficulty dealing with such a difficult and sensitive operation.
“You're risking your safety and risking the safety of others to be able to do that,” Limani said. “As we continue to assess the risks and the possibilities become less and less and less, it feels like a failure. I'm not going to lie. It feels like we've failed, but if If someone else gets hurt, I think it will be even worse.”
Now that the operation has moved into the recovery phase, crews are winding down for the night and will return to the scene in the morning. However, the state police insist that no one is giving up. In the meantime, they are preparing to work through Thursday's inclement weather. it is snowing in forecast For western Pennsylvania.
He is seeking continued support from those who are following his efforts.
The state police is also thanking the community on behalf of all the workers. Limani said the village in Westmoreland County where all this is happening is very poor.
People and restaurants from everywhere are bringing food to keep the workers fed and warm.
“Keep rooting for us,” he said.
Abandoned mine declared “unstable”
“During the incident, we had over 100 emergency personnel working overnight,” said Pennsylvania State Trooper Cliff Greenfield. “Some of them have left, many of whom have been replaced by other personnel. Efforts continue today. I would also like to address some of the rumors that are going around. We have been made aware of some of the rumors, One of which is that Ms. Pollard has been found. We are still actively searching for Ms. Pollard.
In an update Wednesday afternoon, Trooper Greenfield, along with Chief John Bacha of the Pleasant Unity Volunteer Fire Department, provided details about how the search is continuing and their efforts to find Pollard.
“We are still working with some cameras, some electronic devices, some dogs for various reasons and trying to locate Ms. Pollard,” Chief Bacha said. “At this point, the scope of the situation, and the condition of the mines, is beyond sending rescue teams.”
Bacha further said that the roof of the abandoned mine has collapsed at several places and is unstable. He said the Bureau of Mines provided them with hand-drawn maps from the 1940s to help them in the search.
However, oxygen has become a concern.
“This is now a matter of concern for Ms Pollard. There is a lack of oxygen,” he said. “At the same time, we had experts from different fields. At times we would throw air in. We have fans, that's what fans are made for – to put air, fresh oxygen in. Also, he can “That could create another problem in the coal mine. It could actually draw methane back into an area where we don't have any explosive gas right now.”
A massive search and rescue effort is underway in Unity Township
At one point, more than 100 people responded to the scene To assist in large-scale search and rescue efforts.
Crews worked Tuesday to widen the hole and eventually lower people into the mine area. What appeared to be a shoe was found when workers were moving cameras and mics underground, but they have yet to see or hear from Pollard.
Pleasant Unity Volunteer Fire Department Chief John Bacha said no carbon monoxide or explosive gases were detected in the underground atmosphere.
Officials said temperatures in the mine are hotter than the outside air, estimating it was about 50 degrees Tuesday afternoon, much warmer than the frigid temperatures above ground.
Limani said Pollard's family is understandably “disturbed by this.”
Elizabeth Pollard's son, Axel Hayes, spoke about his mother's disappearance Tuesday evening, saying he went through a lot of emotions but remains hopeful that first responders will find Pollard alive.
Elizabeth Pollard disappeared while searching for her escaped cat
(Photo provided by Pennsylvania State Police)
Dozens of first responders, from police to firefighters and search and rescue teams, were searching for Pollard at the restaurant on Marguerite Road on Monday.
At a news conference Tuesday evening, state police said they had not been able to contact Pollard more than 24 hours after she disappeared, but that crews were able to get to the abandoned mine where she fell and located it. It is also being considered as a rescue. Objective.
State police said Pollard was last seen in the area around 5 p.m. Monday, calling for her lost cat Pepper. A few hours later, around 1 a.m. Tuesday, a family member called state police to report that Pollard had not come home.
Troopers went looking for him in the area of the restaurant Monday and just before 3 a.m. they found his car parked behind the building.