Colorado gold mine leaves ONE DEATH and more than a dozen people trapped 1,000 feet underground
One person has died and 12 others remain trapped 1,000 feet in a Colorado gold mine after an equipment failure.
The incident occurred Thursday afternoon at the Mollie Kathleen gold mine near Cripple Creek.
At a news conference, Sheriff Jason Mikesell of the Teller County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the death of one person at the mine.
According to the sheriff, a malfunction in the elevator system posed a “serious danger” to those on board while they were 500 feet deep in the mine.
He said rescue teams arrived and managed to rescue 11 people trapped halfway down the shaft, while another 12 were stranded.
Authorities have said those trapped at the bottom of the mine have blankets, chairs and water, are in good health and are communicating with rescue teams.
Eleven people have already been rescued from the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine, east of Cripple Creek
According to Mollie Kathleen’s website, next Sunday would be the last day of the season’s tours
Officials have said at least four people suffered minor injuries, including back and neck pain, and were treated at the scene.
Two children were also among those already pulled from the mine by rescue teams. It remains unclear how the elevator in the shaft failed.
The sheriff said one of the 12 inmates is a worker with mine safety experience and the other 11 are tourists.
The mine, a tourist attraction, officially closed in the 1960s but continues to offer tours that take people up to 100 stories deep into the earth.
According to the company’s website, the tour includes a two-minute drive to the mine, where tourists can walk a quarter mile of underground terrain.
According to Mollie Kathleen’s website, next Sunday would be the last day of the season’s tours.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis said he would send aid to the scene to assist in the rescue.
The Colorado Springs Fire Department is on scene and was called to the area just after 1 p.m., as well as the Teller County Sheriff’s Office
The mine, a tourist attraction, officially closed in the 1960s but continues to offer tours that take people 100 stories deep into the earth
In a statement, Polis said, “I have spoken with the Teller County Sheriff and County Commissioners and will remain in contact during this rescue effort.
“The state is assisting Teller County and sending resources to rescue those in the mine.
“We will do everything possible and assist the province to ensure a quick and safe resolution of the situation.”
The governor said a mine rescue team from the Ministry of Natural Resources was on its way to assist in the rescue mission.
