The elevator descending into the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine near the town of Cripple Creek had a mechanical problem around 500 feet beneath the surface.
By JESSE BEDAYN and MATTHEW BROWN
DENVER One person was killed and officials were working to rescue 12 others trapped deep beneath the surface of a former Colorado gold mine after an elevator malfunctioned at the tourist site, authorities said Thursday.
The elevator descending into the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine near the town of Cripple Creek had a mechanical problem around 500 feet (152 meters) 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.
Twelve people were still at the bottom of the mine, about 1,000 feet (305 meters) beneath the surface. They were safe and in communication with authorities, said Mikesell. Rescuers were working to get the elevator back online.
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, Mikesell said.
