Twelve tourists who were trapped inside a Colorado gold mine for several hours were rescued on Thursday after an elevator malfunctioned during a tour that killed one person, officials said.
The group was trapped after the elevator inside the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine – a family-owned business that offers tours to the public – experienced a mechanical issue at 500 feet deep around noon, Teller County Sheriff Jason Mikesell said during a press conference streamed by FOX21 News.
“I am relieved that 12 of the people trapped in the Mollie Kathleen Mine have been safely rescued. Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the individual lost in this incident,” Governor Jared Polis said in a statement, also praising the swift response by state and local first responders and law enforcement.
“Thanks to this collaborative effort, each of these individuals will return home safely”
One person died, and four people suffered minor injuries during the elevator issue, the sheriff said.
Officials have not released details about the person killed, including their identity or how they died.
Authorities rescued 11 people — including two children — from the elevator earlier in the day, while the 11 tourists and one mine staffer were stuck 1,000 feet underground.
The trapped group was provided drinking water, chairs and blankets as rescuers worked to get the elevator back up to working conditions to bring the tourists to safety, according to the sheriff.
The gold mine located in Cripple Creek, about 20 miles southwest of Colorado Springs, closed operations in the 1960s but remains open as a tourist attraction.
