One person was killed and at least four others were injured when an elevator malfunctioned at a tourist attraction gold mine in Colorado.
Officials said a mechanical issue with the mine’s elevator system around 12 p.m. local time Thursday led to “a severe danger for the participants” at the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine in Cripple Creek, a town 35 miles west of Colorado Springs.
The Teller County Sheriff’s Office said the incident left a tour group and guides trapped hundreds of feet underground while workers repaired the elevator.
It remains unclear how the person’s death occurred, but officials said the mine did not collapse. The cause of the accident is under investigation.
Around 7:45 p.m., the Colorado Springs Fire Department announced 12 people who’d been trapped had all been safely brought back to the surface.
“I am relieved that 12 of the people trapped in the Mollie Kathleen Mine have been safely rescued,” Colorado Gov. Jared Polis said in a statement Thursday night, adding: “Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the individual lost in this incident.”
A separate group of 11 people, including two children, had been rescued earlier.
Local hospital UCHealth said seven patients from the incident were treated and released.
Teller County Sheriff Jason Mikesell said those who were trapped underground for more than six hours were in constant communication with people at the surface, were never themselves in danger and had access to water, chairs and blankets. They were given pizza after arriving back at the surface.
The mine, which is about 1,000 feet deep, ceased operation in the 1960s but continued offering tours. During the tour, guests and guides wear hard hats and take an elevator down for about two minutes. A short rail car ride then leads to a quarter mile of walking underground during a demonstration about gold mining.
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