12 tourists trapped in former Colorado gold mine rescued, 1 dead
A mechanical problem with a lift occurred at a depth of around 150 metres in the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine
Twelve people were rescued Thursday night after being trapped for about six hours at the bottom of a former Colorado gold mine when a lift malfunctioned at the tourist site, authorities said. One person died in the accident.
The lift was descending into the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine near the town of Cripple Creek when it had a mechanical problem around 150 metres (500 feet) beneath the surface, creating a “severe danger for the participants,” and one person was killed, Teller County Sheriff Jason Mikesell said.
The 12 adults who were trapped were about 305 metres (1,000 feet) below ground, but they had access to water and the atmosphere was considered good. They were safe and in communication with authorities with radios while waiting, Mikesell said.
They were in good spirits after they were rescued, and authorities gave them pizza once they were out and told them everything that had happened, he said. While at the bottom, authorities had told them only that there was a lift issue.
Mikesell said during a nighttime briefing that authorities do not know yet what caused the malfunction and an investigation is under way.
Engineers worked to make sure the lift was working safely again before bringing the stranded visitors back up on it. They had been prepared to bring them up by rope if necessary, had they not been able to get the lift fixed.