One tourist lost their life and 12 others were trapped on Thursday after an elevator malfunctioned at the historic Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine in Colorado.
The mine, located near the town of Cripple Creek, is a popular tourist attraction. It offers visitors a glimpse into the gold mining era of the late 19th century by descending 1,000 feet underground.
The day took a grim turn when the elevator carrying tourists experienced a mechanical failure approximately 500 feet below the surface. This incident resulted in one fatality and left 12 tourists stranded at the bottom of the mine, about 1,000 feet down. However, they had access to water and were able to communicate via radio with rescue teams.
The Teller County Sheriff’s Office and Colorado Springs fire department personnel skilled in high-angle rescues, and mine safety crews, responded quickly. By evening, a coordinated rescue effort managed to bring the trapped tourists to the surface. The rescue operation concluded late Thursday, with all 12 trapped tourists being safely evacuated.
Authorities gave the group pizza once they were rescued and explained everything that had occurred. While they were stuck at the bottom, officials only informed them about an elevator issue.
Teller County Sheriff Jason Mikesell said the cause of the malfunction remains unknown, and an investigation is in progress. Engineers ensured the elevator was operating safely before bringing the stranded visitors back to the surface.
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The mine faces scrutiny over its equipment maintenance protocols
The Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine has operated as a tourist site since it ceased mining operations in 1961. It is known for tours that offer an authentic mining experience. This incident has raised concerns about the safety of such attractions, though Mikesell noted that the last similar incident at this mine was in the 1980s.
As the community and the mine’s management reflect on this tragedy, there’s a palpable sense of mourning for the loss of life and a renewed focus on ensuring such accidents do not happen again. The mine, which was nearing the end of its tourist season, faces scrutiny over its equipment maintenance and emergency protocols.
The identity of the deceased has not been publicly disclosed as authorities work to notify next of kin. Meanwhile, the incident has sparked discussions on social media about the safety of historical and adventure tourism attractions. Many have expressed condolences and others called for stringent safety checks.
Among those trapped was a family mining operation member with mine rescue experience, according to Mikesell.
The elevator ride typically lasts about two minutes, traveling at approximately 152 metres per minute, as noted on the mine’s website.
Mikesell mentioned that the last accident occurred in the 1980s but did not specify the details.
Colorado law requires tourist mines to appoint someone for daily inspections of both the mines and transportation systems, as per the state’s Division of Reclamation, Mining, and Safety. Mikesell admitted he was unaware of the most recent inspection date, and inspection records were not immediately available online.
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