23 People Rescued, 1 Dead After Elevator Malfunction at Colorado Gold Mine Tourist Attraction

Mar. 15, 2025

Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine in Cripple Creek, Colo.Photo:Arthur H. Trickett-Wile/The Gazette via AP

Arthur H. Trickett-Wile/The Gazette via AP

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

According to Teller County Sheriff Jason Mikesell, one group of 12 guests faced “severe danger” when the elevator car they were riding experienced a mechanical issue about 500 feet below the surface. Mikesell did not elaborate on what the issue was, but one of the guests was killed.

“We don’t know, because of the damage the elevator sustained, whether that would contribute to it failing,” Mikesell said during a press conference.

Another group of 12 guests were stuck about 1,000 feet underground until they were rescued from the gold mine tourist attraction. The group waited for approximately six hours in 50-degree temperatures until the elevator was back in operation. They had water, blankets, chairs and a radio, perCNN.

“I am relieved that 12 of the people trapped in the Mollie Kathleen Mine have been safely rescued,” Colorado Gov. Jared Polis said ina statementon social media after the second group was rescued. “Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the individual lost in this incident.”

“I thank Teller County and Sheriff Mikesell and his team, as well as the other law enforcement and first responders from local and state government for their swift response and tireless efforts, including members of the Department of Natural Resources, the Department of Labor and Employment, and the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. Thanks to this collaborative effort, each of these individuals will return home safely,” Polis concluded.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Mikesell said the group trapped 1,000 feet below the surface was never told the extent of the situation.

“These folks, we did have a briefing with them. We explained to them what was happening because they were in this tunnel and didn’t know any of this was going on. So, it was a shock to them to know that they were actually part of a national media thing that was going on,” the sheriff said.

“They all came up very safely, four at a time so we could get them through the surface,” he added. “They’re all in good spirits, we fed them pizza, that’s what they wanted, so there’s a good news story at the end of this.”

During the nighttime press conference, Meskell said an investigation into the cause of the malfunction is now underway, per theAssociated Press.

The family-owned gold mine opened in the 1800s and closed in 1961, before reopening as a tourist attraction.

source: people.com