Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine: One dead, 12 trapped at US mine tourist attraction near Cripple Creek
Twelve people have been safely rescued after being trapped for hours at the bottom of a former Colorado gold mine when an elevator malfunctioned at the tourist site.
One person died in the accident.
The elevator was descending into the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine near the town of Cripple Creek when it had a mechanical problem around 150m beneath the surface, creating a “severe danger for the participants,” and one person was killed, Teller County Sheriff Jason Mikesell said at a press conference on Thursday.
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The elevator accident was reported to authorities at about noon, the sheriff said. He declined to identify the victim or say how they died. Two children were involved but it was unclear if they were among those who were trapped.
Eleven people who were riding the elevator were rescued earlier, Mikesell said. Four had minor injuries. The sheriff did not elaborate on how they were injured or the nature of the elevator’s mechanical problems.
During the ordeal, authorities communicated with the trapped group with radios. They had access to water, and the atmosphere was considered good.
Among those trapped was a member of the family mining operation who has mine rescue experience, Mikesell said.
The elevator ride typically takes about two minutes, travelling about 150m per minute, according to the mine’s website.
Mikesell said the last time there was an incident was in the 1980s but did not say what had happened.
Mines operated as tourist attractions in Colorado must designate someone to inspect the mines and the transportation systems daily, according to the state Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety. Mikesell said he didn’t know the date of the last inspection. Records of the inspections weren’t immediately available online.
Cripple Creek is a town of about 1100 people in the Rocky Mountains southwest of Colorado Springs.
The mine opened in the 1800s and closed in 1961, but still operates tours.
A woman named Mollie Kathleen Gortner discovered the site of the mine in 1891 when she saw quartz laced with gold, according to the company’s website.
