The Associated Press
Tragedy Strikes at Colorado Gold Mine: One Fatality and 12 Rescued After Elevator Failure
A tragic incident unfolded at the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine near Cripple Creek, Colorado, when an elevator malfunction left one person dead and 12 others trapped for around six hours.
The elevator, which was descending into the mine approximately 500 feet (152 meters) underground, encountered a mechanical issue that posed “severe danger for the participants,” according to Teller County Sheriff Jason Mikesell. The specific cause of the fatality has not yet been disclosed.
The 12 adults trapped about 1,000 feet (305 meters) below ground had access to water and were able to communicate with rescue teams via radios. Authorities informed them of the elevator issue while they were stuck.
During a late-night briefing, Sheriff Mikesell indicated that the cause of the malfunction is under investigation. Engineers worked meticulously to ensure the elevator was functioning safely before bringing the stranded individuals back to the surface. They had prepared a rope rescue plan if necessary.
The identity of the deceased has not been released. The incident was reported around noon and occurred during the last week of the mine’s operational season before it closes for winter.
Earlier in the day, while the 12 individuals were trapped, 11 others in the elevator were successfully rescued. Four of them sustained minor injuries, though details on those injuries have not been provided.
Typically, the elevator ride takes about two minutes, traveling at a speed of around 500 feet (152 meters) per minute, according to the mine’s website.
Sheriff Mikesell noted that the last incident at the mine occurred in the 1980s, during which a few individuals were trapped, but there were no fatalities at that time.
In Colorado, tourist mines are required to appoint someone to conduct daily inspections of the mines and their transportation systems, as stated by the state Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety. Mikesell did not have information on the date of the last inspection, and records were not readily available online.
In response to the incident, Colorado Governor Jared Polis has mobilized state resources, including a mine rescue team.
Cripple Creek, a small town with about 1,100 residents, is located in the Rocky Mountains southwest of Colorado Springs. The Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine, which began operations in the 1800s and closed in 1961, still offers tours. Visitors can experience a one-hour tour that descends 1,000 feet (305 meters) to view gold veins in the rock and ride an underground tram.
The mine was discovered by Mollie Kathleen Gortner in 1891 when she noticed quartz containing gold, as described on the company’s website.
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