One dead, 23 rescued after equipment malfunctions at Cripple Creek mine

CRIPPLE CREEK — One person died and 23 people were rescued after an equipment malfunction at the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine Tour in Cripple Creek on Thursday, according to the Teller County Sheriff’s Office.

It happened around noon on the tour of the mine located just east of the Cripple Creek city limits.

The Teller County Sheriff’s Office says a mechanical problem occurred with the elevator taking tourists to the mine, which created a serious danger to passengers.

The sheriff’s office says when this first happened, 11 people, including two children, were rescued on a trolley. Four of those people suffered minor injuries and are expected to be OK. One person, however, died at a depth of 150 meters.

At this time, the name of the person who passed away has not been released.

The sheriff’s office says 12 people who were trapped 1,000 feet in the air were rescued around 7 p.m.

The sheriff’s office says the last incident happened in 1986.

According to the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine Tour website, the mine closed in the 1960s, however, mine tours were going well at the time and so the decision was made to continue the tours.

Revenue from the tours is used to maintain the mine and ensure it is in “safe and operational mining condition,” the website says. One-hour walking tours are offered seasonally.

Tours are open from May until the second weekend in October. It is unclear whether the people arrested were on tour.

Colorado Governor Jared Polis released the following statement regarding this incident:

“I am relieved that 12 of the people trapped in the Mollie Kathleen mine were safely rescued. Our deepest condolences go out 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 other local and state government law enforcement and first responders for their quick 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.”

Colorado Governor Jared Polis

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