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1 dead, at least 11 others trapped in Colorado gold mine after elevator malfunction

By Catherine Stoddard
Updated  October 10, 2024 4:22pm PDT
Colorado
FOX TV Digital Team

1 killed in Colorado gold mine accident

One person was killed and 12 others were rescued after an elevator malfunctioned at a Colorado gold mine.

The Brief

    • More than 10 people are trapped inside the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine in Cripple Creek, Colorado.
    • Eleven people have been rescued so far.
    • The people became trapped after an equipment malfunction, according to officials.

One person is dead and at least 11 others are trapped inside a Colorado gold mine after an elevator malfunction, according to law enforcement. 

The Teller County Sheriff’s Office said that the mine did not collapse and the Colorado Springs Fire Department has crews responding to rescue the trapped miners. 

There are several "heavy rescue" units working at the scene, CSFD said. One person has died in the incident, according to FOX-affiliate KXRM-TV.

Eleven people have been rescued so far, according to The Denver Post. 

Mollie Kathleen Mine

The miners are trapped in the Mollie Kathleen Mine, a tourist destination which allows visitors to descend 1,000 feet into the earth. 

Visitors are able to visit the underground mine for an hour-long tour and witness "gold veins in their natural state," according to the mine’s website. 

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis responds

Gov. Jared Polis shared on his X account that he has spoken with county commissioners and the sheriff’s office and is assisting with rescue efforts. 

"We will do everything possible and assist the county to ensure a speedy and safe resolution of the situation," Polis said.

The Source

  • Information from this story was gathered from Colorado Gov. Jared Polis’ X account, The Denver Post, Fox 21, the Teller County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page and the Colorado Springs Fire Department Facebook page. This story was reported from Los Angeles. 

Colorado