Local News
64-year-old Elizabeth Pollard fell into a sinkhole while looking for her cat in Unity Township
Emergency crews and state police are conducting a large-scale rescue effort in Unity Township, Westmoreland County, following reports of a woman potentially falling into a 30-foot sinkhole.
The operation is taking place in the vicinity of Marguerite Road, near Monday’s Union Restaurant.
According to Trooper Steve Limani, the search for 64-year-old Elizabeth Pollard, who was last seen around 5 p.m. Monday, will persist through the night if necessary.
Pollard had reportedly been searching for her cat, Pepper, when she went missing.
Authorities discovered Pollard’s 5-year-old granddaughter unharmed in a vehicle nearby.
The child is safe, and officials are focusing their efforts on locating Pollard.
Emergency responders, construction crews, and state police are actively collaborating in the rescue mission, which involves specialized equipment and personnel.
Updates on the situation will be provided as additional information becomes available.
The community is urged to avoid the area while the rescue operation is underway.
JEFFERSON COUNTY, Ala. — Authorities have identified the woman killed in a fatal crash Monday morning that also left a child injured in Jefferson County.
According to the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office, the victim has been identified as 32-year-old Erica Nicole Austin, a resident of Birmingham.
The collision occurred early Monday morning and involved a passenger vehicle and a dump truck, said Center Point Fire District Chief Brandon Dahlen.
Emergency crews were dispatched to the scene shortly after the crash was reported.
Upon arrival, first responders found Austin critically injured. Despite efforts to assist, she was pronounced dead at the scene at 6:46 a.m.
A child who was traveling with Austin sustained injuries in the collision and was transported by Center Point Fire and Rescue to Children’s of Alabama for treatment. The child’s condition has not been released.
The driver of the dump truck was not injured, officials confirmed.
The impact of the collision led to a complete closure of the roadway for approximately five hours as authorities worked to investigate the scene and clear the wreckage.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Accident Reconstruction Team is leading the investigation to determine the circumstances that led to the deadly crash.
No additional details have been released at this time.