A tragic incident occurred at the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine in Cripple Creek, Colorado, on Thursday, where one person lost their life and nearly two dozen others were rescued after an equipment failure left them stranded underground.
The group, on a tour of the mine, became trapped near the bottom around noon MDT. Teller County Sheriff Jason Mikesell confirmed that 23 individuals were stuck in the mine shaft and that one person had died. Colorado Governor Jared Polis expressed relief over the rescue of 12 people from the mine and offered condolences to the family and friends of the deceased.
Earlier in the day, 11 others, including two children, had been rescued. Sheriff Mikesell explained that the remaining 12 were brought up in groups of four during the latter part of the rescue.
The fatality was linked to the elevator malfunction, although specific details were not disclosed. Engineers first had to repair the elevator, which was stuck at 500 feet, inspect the cables, and conduct a test run to the 1000-foot level and back before beginning the rescue operation.
NEW: 12 people are trapped 1,000 feet underground inside a mine in Cripple Creek, CO
1 person has died after an elevator malfunction at the tourist attraction
4 others were injured during that elevator issue
Crews are trying to figure out how to get the rest of the people out pic.twitter.com/upzGi8P6HI
— Marc Sallinger (@MarcSallinger) October 10, 2024
UCHealth confirmed that seven individuals were treated and released following the incident. Elevator and mine safety experts were brought in to inspect the elevator before it was used for the rescue. Three plans were considered for the rescue, with the primary plan being the elevator repair. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Mine Safety will investigate the incident.
Despite the entrapment, there was no concern about oxygen depletion. Those trapped had access to water, chairs, blankets, and maintained communication with rescuers. The mine, a popular tourist spot about 1,000 feet deep, had not experienced an incident of this nature since 1986. Multiple agencies, including search and rescue teams, responded with heavy equipment.
Governor Polis monitored the situation closely, coordinating with the Teller County Sheriff and County Commissioners and providing state resources to aid in the rescue. He assured that every effort was being made to ensure a swift and safe resolution.
What Other Media Are Saying
- KRDO reports on the rescue of 12 people trapped 1,000 feet underground at Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine after an equipment failure, with one person dead and four injured.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
What happened at the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine?
One person died and nearly two dozen were rescued after an equipment failure left them stranded underground.
How many people were trapped in the mine?
23 individuals were trapped in the mine shaft.
What caused the fatality at the mine?
The fatality was linked to an elevator malfunction.
Was there a risk of oxygen depletion for those trapped?
No, there was no concern about oxygen depletion.
How did the rescuers manage to bring the trapped individuals to safety?
Engineers repaired the elevator and brought up the individuals in groups of four.