Colo survivor. Mine collapse speaks out and remembers being trapped but “never panicked”

“No one has ever visibly said if we’re ever going to get out of here or if we can get out of here,” Rhonda told KKTV’s Pulse

A Missouri woman who was among 23 people rescued after an elevator malfunctioned at the Mollie Kathleen gold mine in Cripple Creek, Colorado, and one person died, says the group did not panic during the hours-long ordeal last week.

“We felt inconvenienced,” Rhonda told KKTV’s Pulse in an interview that aired on Friday, October 11. “We felt uncomfortable. (…) We were blissfully unaware.”

At the time of the incident on Thursday, October 10, Pulse and the others were underground at a gold mine tourist attraction.

One group of 12 people found themselves in “serious danger” when the elevator they were riding in developed a mechanical failure about 500 feet below the surface, according to Teller County Sheriff Jason Mikesell.

In addition, another group of 12 people – including Pulse – were trapped approximately 300 meters underground until they were rescued.

The person who died was later identified as Patrick Weier, 46, who worked as a tour guide at the mine.

Related: 10 miners trapped in flooded coal mine in Mexico after mine collapses

In an interview with KKTV Pulse, who was already at the mine with others, described how she realized something was wrong when the elevator didn’t come down to pick them up.

She also recalled the conditions she and other tourists experienced before officials reached them.

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“We were hungry,” she told KKTV. “We got a little cold. It was uncomfortable, but we never panicked or feared, or at least no one visibly told us if we would ever get out or if we could get out of there.

Pulse praised the authorities for their handling of the situation.

“I’m really pleased with the way the Teller County Sheriff’s Department handled this case,” she said. “They could have told us, but that would only cause panic. No need. There was nothing we could do about it.”

Related: Cavers rescued abandoned dog that happened 40 feet underground in ‘miracle’ rescue

She also expressed gratitude to first responders, the state, the county, the mining commission and the company for keeping the group safe.

An investigation into the incident is ongoing and authorities are trying to determine what happened that led to the elevator failure.

The mine announced on its website that it was closed until further notice.

“We know the problem occurred at an altitude of 500 feet,” Mikesell previously told reporters. “We know there was some incident with the door and at that point something went wrong. We don’t know what caused it. We don’t know what happened.”

Related: Police say 10-year-old boy dies after being crushed by elevator

Meanwhile, Weier’s brother, John Weier, started a GoFundMe on behalf of the victim’s 7-year-old son.

As of Monday, October 14, the campaign had raised over $40,000, “which will go directly to supporting his future, whether it’s meeting his basic educational needs or anything that will help give him the best start in life despite this.” tragedy,” John wrote in the campaign description.

In a previous statement, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis said he was “saddened to learn of the loss of life in this tragic accident and my heart goes out to the family and loved ones at this difficult time.”

“While we continue to gather information,” Polis added, “the state of Colorado is doing everything we can to support local authorities and ensure the safe rescue of those still at the mine. I am in close contact with local authorities and continue to closely monitor the situation, directing state resources to support a quick and safe resolution to this unfortunate event.”

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