1 dead, 12 trapped in former Colorado gold mine; Rescue in progress

DENVER (AP) — One person was killed and officials were working to rescue 12 others trapped deep beneath the surface of a former gold mine in Colorado after an elevator at the tourist attraction malfunctioned, authorities said Thursday.

The elevator going into the Mollie Kathleen gold mine near the town of Cripple Creek experienced a mechanical problem about 500 feet (152 meters) below the surface that posed a “significant danger to participants” and killed one person, Sheriff Jason said Mikesell of Teller County said at a news conference.

Twelve people were still at the bottom of the mine, about 305 meters below the surface. They are safe and have been communicating with authorities, Mikesell said. Rescuers worked to get the elevator back into operation.

The elevator accident was reported to authorities around noon, the sheriff said. He declined to identify the victim or say how he died. Two children were involved, but it was unclear whether they were among those trapped.

Eleven people riding the elevator were rescued, Mikesell said. Four suffered minor injuries. The sheriff did not say how they were injured or what the elevator's mechanical problems were.

The sheriff said authorities could rescue the trapped group with a rope if necessary, but hoped to get the elevator system operating safely and resolve the situation Thursday evening.

“We want to inspect it and make sure it’s safe before we bring it back up,” Mikesell said. “We have already decided on a plan B and a plan C with the rescue workers.”

The state sent an elevator expert to the scene of the accident.

Authorities communicated with the trapped group via radio, but the group was not told the extent of the problem with the elevator, said Mikesell, who added, “That's because I want to reassure people.” The group had access to water and the atmosphere was considered good.

Among those trapped was a member of the family mining company who has experience in mine rescue, Mikesell said.

Emergency crews tried to assess whether the damage done to the elevator could lead to further failure before sending it back down. According to the mine's website, the elevator ride typically takes about two minutes and moves about 500 feet (152 meters) per minute.

Mikesell said the last incident occurred in the 1980s, but did not say what happened.

Mines that operate as tourist attractions in Colorado are required to designate someone to inspect the mines and transportation systems daily, according to the state Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety. Mikesell said he did not know the date of the last inspection. Records of the inspections were not immediately available online.

Gov. Jared Polis said the state was sending resources, including a mine rescue team.

“We will do everything possible and support the county to ensure a quick and safe resolution of the situation,” Polis said in a statement.

Cripple Creek is a town of about 1,100 residents in the Rocky Mountains southwest of Colorado Springs.

The mine opened in the 19th century and closed in 1961, but still offers tours. The website describes a one-hour tour in which visitors descend 300 meters into the earth. They say they can see gold veins in the rocks and ride the subway.

According to the company's website, a woman named Mollie Kathleen Gortner discovered the mine's location in 1891 when she saw quartz laced with gold.

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Brown reported from Billings, Mont.