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At least one person has died and 12 remain trapped in a disused Colorado gold mine after a lift malfunctioned, officials say.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The group were touring Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine in Cripple Creek – a privately-owned tourist attraction for more than 50 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Emergency workers have rescued 11 people, including two children, so far. At least four have minor injuries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “There is an elevator issue to resolve before they could be brought up,” Teller County Sheriff Jason Mikesell told reporters on Thursday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The hour-long tour takes visitors 1,000ft (305m) down the shaft into the south-west side of Pikes Peak, according to the tour company\u2019s website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Officials said the lift descending into the gold mine had a mechanical issue around 500ft beneath the surface, creating a \u201csevere danger for the participants\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “We did have one fatality that occurred during this issue at 500ft,” Sheriff Mikesell said. He did not give details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rescue teams are using radio to communicate with the 12 others who are stuck near the bottom of the mine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “They have chairs, blankets, water and are at a safe temperature,” Sheriff Mikesell said. “This was due to an equipment malfunction. The mine did not collapse.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Officials are hoping to fix the lift.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “But we also have a plan B and a Plan C already set in place with rescue officers in case of an issue,” Sheriff Mikesell said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Several agencies, including search and rescue teams, are responding to the incident with heavy equipment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Colorado Governor Jared Polis said state resources had been allocated to assist with the rescue efforts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe will do everything possible and assist the county to ensure a speedy and safe resolution of the situation,\u201d Governor Polis said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The fire chief of nearby city Colorado Springs said his firefighters were also helping with the rescue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “My crews are specially trained to respond to incidents like this when called upon,” said Randy Royal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n