Grand Canyon tourists get trapped 21 stories underground

Peach Springs, Arizona - Six tourists who were trapped nearly 200 feet under the Grand Canyon have finally been rescued.

A group of tourists are free after being trapped nearly 200 feet underground at the Grand Canyon Caverns in Arizona for more than 24 hours.
A group of tourists are free after being trapped nearly 200 feet underground at the Grand Canyon Caverns in Arizona for more than 24 hours.  © MLADEN ANTONOV / AFP

The incident happened on Sunday around noon after an elevator malfunctioned at Grand Canyon Caverns, an underground attraction and hotel. It trapped a family of four, that included two small children, and another couple inside in a terrifying accident.

Coconino Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Jon Paxton told CNN that there was a 21 flight stairwell similar to a fire escape, which was used to help the family of four emerge.

Unfortunately, one of the remaining tourists had a medical condition that prevented them from making the climb.

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Employees on site attempted to fix the elevator, eventually trying to hook it up to an external generator on Monday, but were unsuccessful.

"Believing it was an electrical problem, a generator was brought in. It’s not an electrical problem," Paxton explained. "It's a mechanical problem."

The remaining couple were forced to wait until the elevator was fixed on Monday, and afterwards, they were finally able to return to the surface.

The Grand Canyon Caverns website describes the location as the largest dry caverns in the US, and were created over 56 million years ago.

The cavern suite, where the tourists were trapped, includes two beds, a futon, an "RV style bathroom", and other amenities. The accommodation charges $1,000 per night for two people to stay.

Fortunately, no one was harmed, and the group are back safely above ground.

Cover photo: MLADEN ANTONOV / AFP

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