Askume, Oct 10 – Twelve people were trapped for six hours on Thursday 1,000 feet (300 metres) below ground in a former gold mine in Colorado that is now a tourist attraction, Colorado Governor Jared Polis said in a statement.
The lift malfunctioned, killing one person on the spot and trapping several others, officials said.
Taylor County Sheriff Jason Mikesell told reporters that rescue workers restarted the elevator and a team of four people removed the trapped people — 11 tourists and a tour guide.
The incident at the Molly Kathleen gold mine in Cripple Creek, Colorado, began around noon (1800 GMT) when an elevator in the mine malfunctioned, leaving one person dead and four with minor injuries, officials said.
Emergency workers radioed to those trapped below and provided water, blankets and chairs to make them comfortable, Maxell said.
