One person is dead, 12 people remain trapped, and 11 others were rescued from a Colorado mine after a popular tourist attraction sustained an “equipment malfunction” during a tour, authorities said Thursday.
The incident occurred at the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine in Cripple Creek, which is closed for mining, but still gives tours about 1,000 feet underground, the Teller County Sheriff’s Office said.
Around noon, a mechanical issue occurred with the elevator that takes tourists into the mine, creating a danger for riders, authorities said.
“They are safe at the 1,000-foot level,” Sheriff Jason Mikesell said of those trapped. “They honestly don’t know that we’ve had an issue other than there’s a problem with the elevator.”
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“They’re drinking water. They have chairs,” he added. “They have blankets. They have what they need for now.”
Eleven people, including two children, were rescued using a trolley car. Four of them had minor injuries, while an unidentified person died roughly 500 feet down inside the mine.
Authorities were waiting for engineers from the state to look at the elevator to determine whether it was safe to begin bringing the trapped visitors back up.
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis said he was aware of the situation.
The tours are open from May through the second weekend in October.
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“I have spoken to the Teller County Sheriff and County Commissioners and will stay in touch through the course of this rescue effort,” he said in a statement. “The state is assisting Teller County and sending resources to rescue those inside the mine. We will do everything possible and assist the county to ensure a speedy and safe resolution of the situation.”
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