An equipment failure at a former Colorado gold mine left one person dead and a dozen others trapped, authorities said Thursday.
The elevator descending to the Mollie Kathleen gold mine, now operated as a tourist site, near the town of Cripple Creek, had a mechanical problem about 500 feet (152 meters) below the surface. It created a “serious danger to participants” and one person died, Teller County Sheriff Jason Mikesell said at a news conference.
Crews were able to rescue 11 people, but 12 people are still at the bottom of the mine, about 305 meters (1,000 feet) deep. They are in safe condition and in communication with authorities, Mikesell said. Rescuers are working to get the elevator working again.
The sheriff said they could rescue the trapped group with a rope if necessary, but they hoped the elevator system would work.
Mikesell said the last time there was an incident was in 1986.
The mine opened in the 19th century and closed in the 1960s, but still runs tourist tours. The mine's website describes an hour-long tour in which visitors descend 100 stories into the earth. Cube visitors can see veins of gold in the rock and ride an underground tram.
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis said in a statement that the state was sending resources to rescue efforts.
“We will do everything we can and assist the county to ensure a quick and safe resolution of the situation,” Polis said.
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