Survivor in Colo. Mine Collapse Speaks Out and Remembers Being Trapped but 'Never Panicked'
"no one ever visibly said are we ever going to get out of here or can we get out type of thing," Rhonda Pulse told KKTV
A Missouri woman who was among 23 people rescued after an elevator malfunctioned at the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine in Cripple Creek, Colo., and one person died now says the group didn’t panic during their hourslong ordeal last week.
“We were inconvenienced,” Rhonda Pulse told TV station KKTV in an interview that aired on Friday, Oct. 11. “We were uncomfortable. ... We were blissfully unaware.”
Pulse and the others were underground, in the gold mine tourist attraction, at the time of the incident on Thursday, Oct. 10.
According to Teller County Sheriff Jason Mikesell, one group of 12 people were in "severe danger" when the elevator car they were riding had a mechanical issue about 500 feet below the surface.
Additionally, another group of 12 people — including Pulse — were trapped about 1,000 feet below until they were rescued.
The person who died was later identified as Patrick Weier, 46, who worked as a tour guide for the mine.
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In her interview with KKTV, Pulse, who was already down in the mine with others, described how she realized that something was amiss when the elevator did not come down to pick them up.
She also recalled the conditions she and her fellow tourists experienced before officials reached them.
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“We got hungry,” she told KKTV. “We got kind of cold. It was uncomfortable, but we were never panicked or afraid, at least no one ever visibly said are we ever going to get out of here or can we get out type of thing.”
Pulse offered praise to authorities for the way the situation was managed.
“I am really pleased with the way the Teller County Sheriff’s department handled things," she said. "They could’ve told us, but that would’ve just caused panic. There’s no need. There was nothing we can do about it."
Related: Cavers Save Stranded Dog They Happened Upon 40 Feet Underground in 'Miracle' Rescue
She also expressed gratitude to the first responders, the state, the county, the mining commission and the company in ensuring the group’s safety.
The investigation into the incident is ongoing as authorities try to determine what happened that led to the elevator malfunction.
On its website, the mine announced that it has closed until further notice.
“We know at 500 feet is where the issue occurred,” Mikesell previously told reporters. “We know that there was some type of incident with the doors and at that point something went wrong. We don’t know what caused that. We don’t know what happened.”
Related: 10-Year-Old Boy Dies After Being Crushed by Elevator, Police Say
Meanwhile, a GoFundMe was set up by Weier's brother, John Weier, on behalf of the victim’s 7-year-old son.
As of Monday, Oct. 14, the campaign has raised more than $40,000 "that will go directly towards supporting his future whether it’s for his education basic needs or anything that will help give him the best start in life despite this tragedy,” John wrote in the campaign description.
In a previous statement, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis said he was "saddened to learn of the loss of a life in this tragic accident and my heart goes out to the family and loved ones during this difficult time.”
“While we are still gathering information,” Polis added, “the State of Colorado is doing everything in our power to support local authorities and ensure the safe rescue of those who are still in the mine. I have been in close contact with local authorities and continue to monitor the situation closely as we direct state resources to support the swift and safe resolution of this unfortunate event.”
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