Twelve people were rescued from the historic Mollie Kathleen gold mine in Colorado after a mechanical failure in the lift system left the group stranded underground for several hours.
Injured Brought up First
One person lost their life in the incident, while four others were injured, local authorities reported.
The lift, which malfunctioned at about 500 feet (152 meters) underground, caused serious danger for the group of tourists visiting the former mine, now a popular tourist attraction near Cripple Creek, according to Digi24.
According to Teller County Sheriff Jason Mikesell, the lift failure resulted in "a very hazardous situation" leading to the death of one individual and injuries to four others.
The victim, along with the injured, were initially brought to the surface, but another group remained trapped at approximately 1,000 feet (305 meters) underground for several hours.
Rescue Efforts Started Immediately
Efforts to rescue the remaining tourists began immediately, with teams assessing different methods to bring them back to safety.
Sheriff Mikesell mentioned that while there were alternative methods for rescue, such as using ropes, officials were hopeful that the lift could be repaired. Communication was maintained with those trapped via radio, but authorities deliberately withheld the full extent of the lift’s issues to keep them calm.
“They had water, and the atmosphere was good,” Sheriff Mikesell said. Among those stuck underground was a member of the family company that operates the mine, who had experience in mine rescue operations.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis expressed his condolences to the family of the deceased and praised the rescuers for their tireless work. "I am relieved that 12 people trapped in the Mollie Kathleen Mine have been safely rescued," Polis said in a statement.
The Mollie Kathleen mine, which dates back to the 19th century, has been operating as a tourist attraction since it closed as an active mine in the 1960s. Tours take visitors down 100 levels and allow them to see real gold embedded in the rock.
According to the mine’s website, the descent into the mine takes about two minutes at a speed of 6 miles per hour (10 kilometers per hour), and guests ride a small train once inside the underground tunnels.
