One person is dead, 12 people were rescued after an elevator malfunctioned at a historic gold mine in Colorado

On October 11, 2024By Yukito

CRIPPLE CREEK, Colo. (KKTV/Gray News) – Emergency crews responded to a Colorado gold mine after reports of people trapped after an elevator malfunctioned at the historic site.

The Teller County Sheriff’s Office said emergency crews were called to the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine on Thursday afternoon.

The sheriff’s office confirmed that one person died.

Teller County officials said 12 people also became stuck in the mine, about 1,000 feet underground, Thursday evening before they were all flown to safety.

Teller County Sheriff Jason Mikesell said a mechanical failure occurred about 500 feet below the surface of the elevator, creating a “serious hazard to participants.”

Authorities said the mine did not collapse and emergency calls were for equipment failure at the site.

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis said he had also been briefed on the situation.

The Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine is a historic site that closed in the 1960s but still offers tours to visitors.

No one else was injured in the ordeal, and 11 other people were also helped to leave the mine earlier that afternoon.

Sheriff Mikesell said the investigation into the elevator failure is ongoing.

Authorities did not immediately identify the person who died.