23 Folks Rescued, 1 Lifeless After Elevator Malfunction at Colorado Gold Mine

One particular person died and 23 others had been rescued after an elevator malfunctioned on the Molly Kathleen Gold Mine in Cripple Creek, Colo. on Thursday, Oct. 10.

In accordance with Teller County Sheriff Jason Mikesell, one group of 12 friends confronted “extreme hazard” when the elevator automobile they had been using skilled a mechanical situation about 500 ft beneath the floor. Mikesell didn’t elaborate on what the difficulty was, however one of many friends was killed.

“We don’t know, due to the injury the elevator sustained, whether or not that might contribute to it failing,” Mikesell mentioned throughout a press convention.

One other group of 12 friends had been caught about 1,000 ft underground till they had been rescued from the gold mine vacationer attraction. The group waited for roughly six hours in 50-degree temperatures till the elevator was again in operation. They’d water, blankets, chairs and a radio, per CNN.

“I’m relieved that 12 of the individuals trapped within the Mollie Kathleen Mine have been safely rescued,” Colorado Gov. Jared Polis mentioned in a press release on social media after the second group was rescued. “Our deepest condolences to the household and associates of the person misplaced on this incident.” 

“I thank Teller County and Sheriff Mikesell and his workforce, in addition to the opposite legislation enforcement and first responders from native and state authorities for his or her swift response and tireless efforts, together with members of the Division of Pure Sources, the Division of Labor and Employment, and the Division of Homeland Safety and Emergency Administration. Due to this collaborative effort, every of those people will return dwelling safely,” Polis concluded. 

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Throughout a press convention earlier within the day, Mikesell mentioned 4 of the 11 individuals rescued from the primary group had been handled by paramedics for neck, again and arm accidents. The title of the twelfth particular person, who died, was not made public.

Mikesell mentioned the group trapped 1,000 ft beneath the floor was by no means informed the extent of the scenario. 

“These people, we did have a briefing with them. We defined to them what was occurring as a result of they had been on this tunnel and didn’t know any of this was occurring. So, it was a shock to them to know that they had been really a part of a nationwide media factor that was occurring,” the sheriff mentioned.

“All of them got here up very safely, 4 at a time so we may get them by means of the floor,” he added. “They’re all in good spirits, we fed them pizza, that’s what they wished, so there’s a excellent news story on the finish of this.”

Through the nighttime press convention, Meskell mentioned an investigation into the reason for the malfunction is now underway, per the Related Press.

The family-owned gold mine opened within the 1800s and closed in 1961, earlier than reopening as a vacationer attraction.