Twelve people trapped deep underground in a Colorado gold mine that has become a popular tourist destination were rescued after an elevator malfunctioned Thursday night, authorities said.
The rescue comes after 11 other people were rescued hours earlier at the Molly Kathleen Gold Mine in Cripple Creek, where one person died.
The Teller County Sheriff's Office says the gold mine, which has been closed to mining for decades, is open for tours about 300 feet underground.
The entrance to the Molly Kathleen Mine in Cripple Creek, Colorado, a historic mining town just south of Colorado Springs. Tourists flock here to learn about the area's gold rush heritage and experience a slice of the infamous Wild West. (Nina Reingold/Getty Images)
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Around noon, authorities said, an elevator transporting tourists to the mine experienced a mechanical problem, posing a danger to passengers.
Eleven people, including two children, were initially rescued using trolley cars. Four of them suffered minor injuries, and one unidentified person died about 500 feet into the mine.
The remaining 12 people were rescued several hours later, and state engineers deemed it safe to begin lifting the trapped tourists to the ground.
Several people trapped in a former gold mine in Colorado were rescued late Thursday. (KMGH)
Sheriff Jason Mikesell said the 12 people trapped were “safe at 1,000 feet.” “They honestly don't know we have a problem other than there's a problem with the elevator.”
According to the Colorado Department of Reclamation, Mines and Safety, mines operating as tourist attractions in Colorado must designate a person to conduct daily inspections of the mine and transportation system.
Mikesell said he did not know the date of the last test. Test records were not immediately available online.
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A tarpaulin has been placed over the mine opening where several people trapped in the former gold mine were rescued. (KMGH)
Colorado Governor Jared Polis said he was aware of the situation.
“We are relieved that the 12 people trapped at the Molly Kathleen Mine have been safely rescued. We extend our deepest sympathies to the families and friends of the individuals lost in this incident,” Polis said in a statement. . “We would like to thank Teller County, Sheriff Mike Sell and his team, other law enforcement agencies, and first responders in local and state government, including employees from the Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Labor and Employment, for their quick response and tireless efforts. ”, Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency. ”
Several people trapped in the former gold mine were rescued on Thursday. (KMGH)
“Thanks to this collaborative effort, each of these people will return home safely,” he added.
The mine opened in the 1800s and closed in 1961, but still offers tours. Its website describes a one-hour tour that takes visitors down to 300 feet below the surface. It is said that you can see gold veins in the rocks and ride an underground tram.
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According to the company's website, a woman named Molly Kathleen Gortner discovered the mine's location in 1891 when she saw a gold-encrusted crystal.
Tours run from May through the second weekend of October.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
