The elevator system in the shaft failed during a tour on Thursday, resulting in one fatality and twelve others still stranded deep under a closed gold mine in Colorado, according to local authorities.
The event happened during the 1,000 feet (300 meters) underground Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine Tour in the western US state.
One person was killed and four others were injured when a mechanical failure occurred on the elevator trolley system while a group of guests were on board.
Citing an ongoing investigation, officials refrained from disclosing additional information regarding the incident.
“We did have one fatality that occurred during this issue at 500 feet,” Teller County sheriff Jason Mikesell told a press conference.
The mine operators and fire department representatives helped bring the other 11 passengers—two of whom were children—safely to the surface of the elevator.
According to Mikesell, the four individuals injured in the incident, aside from the tragedy, only had minor injuries.
Twelve more individuals are still holed up in a tunnel at the bottom of the mine.
They cannot be relocated until the elevator system is declared safe to operate again, but they are secure and escorted by a mine worker, according to Mikesell.
Rope-carrying emergency personnel are ready to go if needed.
Chairs, blankets, and water have been provided to those in the mine.
“The atmospherics are good inside the tunnel,” said Mikesell.
Those still inside the mine have not been informed of the fatality.
“We’re just trying to keep down the worry of what’s going on, so that nobody gets excited,” added Mikesell.
The mine outside the small city of Cripple Creek, around 100 miles south of Denver, offers a chance to “Experience the ‘Old West’ as it was for hard rock gold miners of ‘The World’s Greatest Gold Camp,'” according to its official website.
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