12 tourists trapped after fatal accident at Colorado gold mine

One person is dead and 12 are trapped in a former gold mine in Colorado after an elevator at the tourist attraction malfunctioned, authorities said Thursday.

The elevator going into the Mollie Kathleen gold mine near the town of Cripple Creek experienced a mechanical problem about 500 feet (152 meters) below the surface that posed a “significant danger to participants” and killed one person, said Jason Mikesell, sheriff of Teller County, in a newscast conference.

Twelve people are still at the bottom of the mine, which lies about 305 meters below the surface. They are in safe condition and are in contact with authorities, Mikesell said.

Rescuers are working to get the elevator back into operation. Mikesell declined to identify the victim or say how he died.

The sheriff said they could rescue the trapped group with a rope if necessary, but hoped to get the elevator system operational.

Mikesell said the last incident occurred in 1986. Gov. Jared Polis said in a statement that the state has committed resources to the rescue effort.

“We will do everything possible and support the county to ensure a quick and safe resolution of the situation,” Polis said.

The mine opened in the 19th century and closed in the 1960s, but still offers tours. The mine’s website describes a one-hour tour in which visitors descend 100 stories underground. It is said that visitors can see gold veins in the rock and ride the subway.

Cripple Creek is a town of about 1,100 residents southwest of Colorado Springs.