Oct. 11 (UPI) — Twelve people trapped 1,000 feet below ground following an equipment malfunction at a mining tourism site near Colorado Springs, Colo., were rescued Thursday night, authorities said. One person was killed during the incident.
A “mechanical issue” disabled an elevator transporting tourists into the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine Tour in Cripple Creek resulting in the death of one passenger, Teller County Sheriff Jason Mikesell told reporters.
Eleven others aboard the car were rescued, four suffering minor injuries, when mine operators succeeded in bringing it back up to the surface from the 500-foot level where the mishap occurred.
Twelve adult out-of-state tourists already at the bottom of the mine, 1,000 feet below the surface, were stranded. Mikesell had earlier stated: “They are safe at that level.”
They have food, water and blankets available, he said.
Mikesell told reporters during a second press conference Thursday night that all 12 had been rescued from the mine, located in the Rocky Mountains about 35 miles west of Colorado Springs.
He said they were rescued via the elevator system, none were injured and that they were surprised to find out that there were the focus of national media.
“They’re all in good spirits. We fed them pizza — that’s what they wanted,” he said. “So, there’s a good news story at the end of this, and that’s really what we were hoping for today.
The dozen people had been trapped for about six hours below ground. Mikesell said those trapped were informed that there was an “elevator issue.” Speaking with the victims after being rescued, those who had been trapped told authorities they were “very thankful” to have not been informed of the full extent of the situation, Mikesell explained.
“I think that would have caused a little more of an angst of about how do we get out of here,” he said.
Concerning the deceased victim, he said they had died of a “a tragic accident” related to the “malfunction of the elevator.”
An investigation will uncover exactly what happened, he said, adding that additional information concerning the deceased victim will be released at a later date, as they are still communicating with the family.
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis said in a statement he was “relieved” the dozen people have been rescued.
“Thanks to this collaborative effort, each of these individuals will return home safely,” the governor said.
