12 tourists rescued after being trapped for hours inside a Colorado gold mine

Robert Novoski

Twelve people were rescued safely Thursday night after being trapped for hours at the bottom of a former Colorado gold mine when an elevator malfunctioned at the tourist site, authorities said Thursday. One person died as a result of this incident.

The elevator was descending to the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine near the town of Cripple Creek when it experienced mechanical problems about 152 feet below the surface, creating a “serious hazard to participants,” and one person died, Teller County Sheriff Jason Mikesell said at a media conference.

The twelve people who were rescued were about 305 meters underground. They were safe and communicating with authorities while waiting, and were in good spirits after being rescued, Mikesell said.

The authorities gave them pizza once they came out and told them everything that had happened. Meanwhile at the bottom, the authorities only told them that there was a problem with the elevator.

Mikesell said in an evening briefing that authorities did not yet know what caused the damage and an investigation was underway. Engineers worked to ensure the lifts were functioning safely again before bringing stranded visitors back up.

He declined to name the victim.

A police officer holds a pair of poles outside a sign bearing the name of a Colorado gold mine.
A police officer removes an emergency vehicle barrier at the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine on Thursday. (Arthur H. Trickett-Wile/The Gazette/The Associated Press)

The incident occurred in the final week of the site’s season before it closes for the winter, Mikesell said.

Mikesell said the last time there was an accident was in the 1980s but did not say what happened.

Mines operated as tourist attractions in Colorado must designate someone to inspect the mine and transportation system daily, according to the state’s Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety. Mikesell said he did not know the date of the last inspection. Inspection records were not immediately available online.

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