An 18-year-old male fell about 30 feet inside an abandoned missile silo near Deer Trail, Colorado, after gaining access by crawling through a broken gate with his friends. Two of his uninjured friends were rescued from the silo while the injured teen had to wait until 8:30 a.m. to be removed and taken to the hospital with serious injuries. Along with the three teens inside the silo, five juveniles above ground, including one 18-year-old male, were contacted by rescue crews. The injured victim is expected to survive but may face a trespassing charge.
The abandoned silo near 82000 E. County Road 22 in Colorado, has been unused since the 1960s and was described by rescuers as a dangerous space with twisted metal, collapsed floors, and concrete pieces everywhere. The teens involved attend high schools in the Denver metro area, specifically Cherry Creek Schools. There was no cellphone reception in the silo, making the injured teen’s rescue a difficult task, but he was ultimately saved by first responders from multiple local fire departments.
After the incident, one of the teens who had been inside the silo received a summons for third-degree criminal trespass, while the injured victim is expected to potentially also face a trespassing charge. The remaining uninjured teens were released to their parents pending possible trespassing charges. It was fortunate that the injured teen survived such a dangerous situation, and authorities warned of the risks associated with entering abandoned structures like missile silos.
The rescue efforts involved multiple local fire departments, including Sable Altura Fire, Bennett-Watkins Fire, South Metro Fire Rescue, Agate Fire Rescue, and Deer Trail Fire Rescue. The collaborative effort of these teams led to the successful rescue of the injured teen and the safe removal of the other individuals involved in the incident. The lack of cellphone reception in the silo highlighted the potential dangers of exploring abandoned structures and the importance of being prepared for emergencies in such environments.
The situation serves as a cautionary tale about the risks of trespassing in abandoned spaces, especially those as hazardous as an old missile silo with its collapsed floors and twisted metal. The injured teen’s lucky survival underscores the importance of safety precautions in such environments and the potential consequences of illegal entry into prohibited areas. It is a reminder of the dangers of exploring abandoned structures without proper authorization and the potential legal repercussions that may follow.
Authorities emphasized the need for individuals to exercise caution and respect the boundaries of abandoned properties to avoid accidents like the one that occurred in the Colorado missile silo. The incident underscored the vital role of first responders and emergency personnel in rescuing individuals in distress, particularly in challenging environments such as underground structures with limited communication capabilities. It also highlights the importance of accountability for those who engage in risky behavior like trespassing and the potential legal penalties that may result from such actions.