1 dead, 4 injured in elevator malfunction at Colorado gold mine tourist attraction

One idiosyncratic was killed and astatine slightest 4 others were injured erstwhile an elevator malfunctioned astatine a tourer attraction golden excavation successful Colorado.

Officials said a mechanical contented with the mine’s elevator strategy astir 12 p.m. section clip Thursday led to “a terrible information for the participants” astatine the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine successful Cripple Creek, a municipality 35 miles westbound of Colorado Springs.

The Teller County Sheriff’s Office said the incidental near a circuit radical and guides trapped hundreds of feet underground portion workers repaired the elevator.

It remains unclear however the person’s decease occurred, but officials said the excavation did not collapse. The origin of the mishap is nether investigation.

Around 7:45 p.m., the Colorado Springs Fire Department announced 12 radical who’d been trapped had each been safely brought backmost to the surface.

“I americium relieved that 12 of the radical trapped successful the Mollie Kathleen Mine person been safely rescued,” Colorado Gov. Jared Polis said successful a statement Thursday night, adding: “Our deepest condolences to the household and friends of the idiosyncratic mislaid successful this incident.”

A abstracted radical of 11 people, including 2 children, had been rescued earlier.

Local infirmary UCHealth said 7 patients from the incidental were treated and released.

Teller County Sheriff Jason Mikesell said those who were trapped underground for much than six hours were successful changeless connection with radical astatine the surface, were ne'er themselves successful information and had entree to water, chairs and blankets. They were fixed pizza aft arriving backmost astatine the surface.

The mine, which is astir 1,000 feet deep, ceased cognition successful the 1960s but continued offering tours. During the tour, guests and guides deterioration hard hats and instrumentality an elevator down for astir 2 minutes. A abbreviated obstruction car thrust past leads to a 4th mile of walking underground during a objection astir golden mining.