(PatriotSpotlight.org) – A nighttime escapade into a former missile silo turned into a life-threatening error when a Colorado teen fell 30 feet inside, prompting a six-hour-long rescue effort.
The young man’s plummet took place at around 3:30 am May 5 near County Road 22, some 50 miles east of Denver. Deer Trail Fire Chief Rich Loveless told the press that the rescue involved “high-angle” techniques, with teams using ropes and climbing gear to reach the injured teen. He said the mission was challenging because of the dangerous underground environment and poor communication. Crews lost radio contact for about 20 minutes, making the rescue even more tense.
Chief Loveless said his department had been trained to achieve such rescues but that this incident was the first of its kind he had encountered. “It was a big sigh of relief when we finally got him out,” he admitted. The injured teen was later taken to hospital. Sable Altura Fire Rescue Chief Rich Solomon, who entered the site due to this break-in, described the silo as a hazardous “underground city.” He described navigating through rusted metal, standing water, and collapsed concrete.
The silo complex, located close to the town of Deer Trail, was one within a network that previously held Titan I intercontinental ballistic missiles. The area was decommissioned decades ago and has since become both privately owned and visibly abandoned. However, urban explorers have been known to frequent it, with various online posts displaying people entering the site.
The involved teens entered the silo by entering through a small gap in the perimeter fencing. Authorities said at least a pair of the youngsters, including the injured one, are aged 18 while their companions are minors. Charges of trespassing are being pursued against the teens, with one already given a summons. Ex-military sites often contain hazardous materials and pose major risks to people who enter without proper equipment or training. The public has been advised to avoid such locations, with officials that they are both illegal to access and highly dangerous. He urged anyone tempted to explore these places to think twice.
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