One person has died while 23 others were rescued after becoming trapped hundreds of feet underground at the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine, a popular tourist attraction located in Cripple Creek, Colorado, in the United States.
Officials reported the incident on Thursday, noting that rescue efforts unfolded throughout the day.
Earlier that day, eleven individuals were brought to safety, followed by the rescue of a dozen more who had come from out of state and were trapped for approximately six hours at the bottom of the mine, which plunges 1,000 feet deep.
Colorado Governor, Jared Polis, expressed relief at the outcome for the majority, stating, “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.”
Among those rescued were two children, and four individuals were treated by medical personnel for minor injuries, according to Teller County Sheriff Jason Mikesell.
He did not disclose specific details regarding the fatality, which occurred due to a mechanical failure within the mine’s elevator system.
This malfunction posed a “severe danger for the participants,” Mikesell revealed during a news conference, while the investigation into the cause of the incident is ongoing.
As the twelve individuals awaited rescue in chilly temperatures of around 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius), they had access to water, blankets, chairs, and a radio.
However, the tour website noted that restrooms were not available in the underground facility.
“We are thrilled to hear all 12 people who were still inside the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine have been safely rescued,” the Colorado Springs Fire Department announced via social media Thursday night. “We’re grateful for the work of all first responders who ensured the safety of those still inside. Our condolences go out to the family who lost a loved one tonight; please keep them in your prayers.”
The body of the deceased individual was recovered as the first group of trapped individuals was brought up the elevator after being stuck at the halfway point, 500 feet down.
To rescue the final group, inspectors worked diligently to ensure the elevator would function correctly, allowing them to be brought up four at a time, Mikesell explained.
“We did have a briefing with them to explain to them what was happening because they were in this tunnel and didn’t know that any of this was going on,” he added.
The Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine, a family-owned tourist destination for over 50 years, last saw an accident in 1986, where two people were trapped in an elevator, but fortunately, there were no fatalities reported at that time.
The mine offers a one-hour tour that immerses guests in the history of gold mining, featuring an underground experience that descends into the 1890s gold mine.
While not claustrophobic, the initial descent can feel quite close, lasting about two minutes each way, according to the tour’s website.
Visitors descend via an elevator traveling at a speed of approximately 5 mph, followed by a brief ride on an underground rail car.
The tour then continues on foot for a quarter mile of flat walking, during which guests learn about the gold mining process.
Safety protocols require guests to wear hard hats and to leave personal items, such as walkers and wheelchairs, behind.
Notably, the attraction was scheduled to close for the season this weekend, with plans to reopen in May.
