Mine accident in Colorado kills one person; 12 people remain prisoners

CNN
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One person has died, 11 people have been rescued and 12 people remain trapped at the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine, a tourist mine in Cripple Creek, Colorado, Teller County Sheriff Jason Mikesell said Thursday during a news conference.

According to Mikesell, who did not provide details on the death, two children were among those rescued and four were examined by medical personnel for minor injuries.

Around noon Thursday, the mine experienced a mechanical problem with the elevator system, posing “a serious problem for passengers on board,” Mikesell said. The cause of the accident is still being investigated.

The 12 people trapped at the bottom of the 1,000-foot-deep mine are safe, Mikesell said. Since they are exposed to cold temperatures around 50 degrees, They have water, blankets, chairs and a radio. However, according to the tour website, facilities such as toilets are not available underground. According to Mikesell, one of the trapped drivers is a mine employee and a former mine rescue professional.

Mikesell said he hoped to rescue the 12 trapped people by Thursday evening.

“We believe the elevator will be intact,” he said, “but I want to make sure it's completely safe before we do it.” And once that happens, we can address them. “

He said the Colorado Fire Department was on scene and able to get people up with a rope, but “they are now also exposing first responders to the threat and danger that this poses” because they would have to travel so far underground.

Gov. Jared Polis expressed condolences to the family of the person who died in the Mollie Kathleen mine and said state personnel were working with local authorities to help rescue those still trapped.

“I am saddened to learn of the loss of life in this tragic accident and my condolences go out to the family and loved ones at this difficult time,” Polis said in a statement Thursday evening.

“While we are still gathering information, the state of Colorado is doing everything in its power to assist local authorities and ensure the safe rescue of those still inside the mine,” he said. “I am in close contact with local authorities and continue to monitor the situation closely as we deploy state resources to support the quick and safe resolution of this unfortunate event.”

The last time an accident occurred at the mine was in 1986, and it has served as a tourist attraction for “well over 50 years,” Mikesell said.

The hour-long tour — a completely underground experience that takes guests through the 1890s gold mine — “is not claustrophobic, but the descent into the shaft is very close for 2 minutes (in each direction),” the tour says website. After descending the elevator, guests take a short ride on a subway car and then walk flat and level for a quarter mile. They will be shown how gold mining worked, according to the website. Guests will be provided with safety helmets and asked to leave personal items such as walkers and wheelchairs behind during the tour.