An elevator malfunction leaves one dead at a former gold mine in Colorado, 12 are rescued

DENVER (AP) — Twelve people were rescued Thursday evening after being trapped at the bottom of a former gold mine in Colorado for about six hours when an elevator at the tourist attraction malfunctioned, authorities said. One person was killed in the accident.

The elevator was descending into the Mollie Kathleen gold mine near the town of Cripple Creek when a mechanical problem occurred about 500 feet (150 meters) below the surface, posing a “significant hazard to participants” and killing one person. Teller said District Sheriff Jason Mikesell.

The twelve captured adults were approximately 305 meters underground, but had access to water and the atmosphere was considered good. They were safe and communicated with authorities via radio while waiting, Mikesell said.

They were in good spirits after they were rescued, and authorities gave them pizza while they were outside and told them everything that happened, he said. When they were downstairs, the authorities had simply told them that there was a problem with the elevator.

Mikesell said during a late-night briefing that authorities did not yet know what caused the disturbance and that an investigation was underway. Engineers made sure the elevator was working safely again before taking the stranded visitors back up. They were prepared to use a rope to lift her up if necessary if they failed to repair the elevator.

Mikesell declined to reveal the victim’s identity.

The incident, reported to authorities around midday, occurred in the final week of the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine season before it closes for the winter, Mikesell said.

Earlier in the afternoon, 11 other people riding the elevator were rescued while the 12 were stuck at the bottom. Four suffered minor injuries. The sheriff did not provide any information about how they were injured.

According to the mine’s website, the elevator ride typically takes about two minutes and moves about 500 feet (152 meters) per minute.

Mikesell said the last incident occurred in the 1980s when several people were trapped in the elevator. No one was killed in this incident.

Mines that serve as tourist attractions in Colorado are required to designate someone to inspect the mines and transportation systems daily, according to the state Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety. Mikesell said he did not know the date of the last inspection. Records of the inspections were not immediately available online.

Gov. Jared Polis dispatched state resources, including a mine rescue team.

Cripple Creek is a town of about 1,100 residents in the Rocky Mountains southwest of Colorado Springs.

The mine opened in the 19th century and closed in 1961, but still offers tours. The website describes an hour-long tour in which visitors descend 1,000 feet. They say they can see gold veins in the rocks and ride the subway.

According to the company’s website, a woman named Mollie Kathleen Gortner discovered the mine’s location in 1891 when she saw quartz laced with gold.

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Brown reported from Billings, Montana.