Twelve rescued from Colorado gold mine tourist site after elevator malfunction kills one [Video]

TWELVE PEOPLE WERE rescued last night after being trapped for about six hours at the bottom of a former Colorado gold mine when an elevator malfunctioned at the tourist site, leaving one person dead.

The elevator was descending into the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine near the town of Cripple Creek when it had a mechanical problem around 150 metres beneath the surface, creating a “severe danger for the participants”, and one person was killed, Teller County Sheriff Jason Mikesell said.

The 12 adults who were trapped were about 305 metres below ground, but they had access to water and the atmosphere was considered good. They were safe and in communication with authorities with radios while waiting, Mr Mikesell said.

They were in good spirits after they were rescued, and authorities gave them pizza once they were out and told them everything that had happened, he said. While at the bottom, …