On New Year’s Day, a Colorado youngster nearly died after falling while investigating a missile bunker.
According to a statement from Sable Altura Fire Rescue, the teenager plunged 40 to 50 feet down the vertical underground building south of E. Quincy Avenue into what rescuers learned was an exhaust vent tunnel for a deactivated Titan Missile Facility.
Sable Altura Fire arrived on the spot and constructed a system of ropes to lower two crew members to the teenager.
The teen was carried to the surface by Bennett-Watkins Fire Rescue and South Metro Fire after the rescuers evaluated his injuries and fastened a harness to him.
South Metro Fire Rescue claimed in a news release provided to PEOPLE that the event was reported to them at approximately 3:45 p.m. Shortly around 5 p.m., they managed to free the teenager. After that, he was sent to a nearby hospital with only minor wounds.
He was present at the scene with one adult and another child, according to the press announcement. The accident was reported by the other two individuals who were still above ground.
PEOPLE was informed by the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office that they are looking into the matter and will decide whether to charge the group with trespassing.
According to a statement from Sable Altura Fire Rescue, “We are a proud I-70 Corridor partner to Bennett-Watkins, and we would like to acknowledge the fantastic command structure and scene management for this call.”
“The dedicated emergency response of the three agencies that operated this rescue under this command, and the interoperability allowed this rescue to be completed VERY rapidly,” said the statement.
Colorado has six decommissioned Titan I missile complexes, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
The group claims that groundwater contamination from cleaning solvents and soil contamination from petroleum chemicals and/or polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are among the hazards associated with the former military installations.
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The neighborhood was also alerted to the existence of abandoned missile silos by Sable Altura Fire Rescue.
As the first responders observed, “A reminder…the military history on the eastern plains of Colorado is better left to the history books,” “PLEASE do not think for any moment, that these are safe environments to enter or explore.”
