Man killed in Colorado mine accident that left 23 others trapped has been identified as a guide who worked there

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Authorities said they are still investigating the cause of Patrick Weier’s death after an elevator malfunctioned at the mine

<p>gofundme</p> <p> Patrick Weier” src=”https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/k1_f1wMeLH1PQaF6wJNgrQ–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/aol_people_articles_471/e2d2 a74a8e679e8007a95d47652b5d39″/></p> <p>gofundme</p> <p> Patrick Weier” src=”https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/k1_f1wMeLH1PQaF6wJNgrQ–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/aol_people_articles_471/e2d2a 74a8e679e8007a95d47652b5d39″ class=” caas-img”/></p></div> </div> </div> </figure> <p>A Colorado man who died Thursday, Oct. 10 after an elevator malfunctioned at the Mollie Kathleen gold mine has been identified.</p> <p>In a news conference provided by Fox 21 News, Teller County Sheriff Jason Mikesell identified the victim as 46-year-old Patrick Weier. 23 other people were also rescued in the incident.</p> <p>Mikesell noted that Weier worked as a mine guide. He added that Weier was a resident of Victor near the Cripple Creek mine and left behind a 7-year-old son.</p> <p>The investigation into the incident is ongoing and officers are still trying to determine what exactly happened.</p> <p>“We know the problem occurred at an altitude of 500 feet,” Mikesell said during a news conference. “We know there was some incident with the door and at that point something went wrong. We don’t know what caused it. We don’t know what happened. All we know is that something happened at the 500-foot level.</p> <figure class=
<p>Arthur H. Trickett-Wile/The Gazette via AP</p> <p> Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine in Colorado, October 10, 2024″ src=”https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/Ll58yGhd1JVLXL.HL45luw–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjk-/https://media.zenfs .com/en/aol_people_articles_471/30fce1526e43ed02d368e65701e94705″/></p> <p>Arthur H. Trickett-Wile/The Gazette via AP</p> <p> Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine in Colorado, October 10, 2024″ src=”https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/Ll58yGhd1JVLXL.HL45luw–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjk-/https://media.zenfs .com/en/aol_people_articles_471/30fce1526e43ed02d368e65701e94705″ class=”caas-img”/></p></div> </div> </div> <div class=

Arthur H. Trickett-Wile/The Gazette via AP

Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine in Colorado, October 10, 2024

Related: 23 rescued, 1 dead after elevator fails at Colorado gold mine tourist attraction

He also noted that the family that owned the mine “did a great job keeping it safe” with “very few safety concerns,” and described the incident as a “tragic accident” that can happen when working with “heavy machinery.”

Following the news of Weier’s death, Barbara Manning, the mayor of Victor, told Fox 21 News that “everyone” in Victor “will mourn when they find out who this is.” She added that Weier had just obtained his firefighter certification before his death.

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis released a separate statement, saying: “We offer our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the person lost in this incident.”

<p>Arthur Trichett-Wile/The Gazette via AP</p> <p> Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine, October 10, 2024″ src=”https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/YavAEQtyHVOeVBKlRzl3wg–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjk-/https://media.zenfs.com/en /aol_people_articles_471/87f9abe20dbaa8acb5fa4ecc621475cc”/></p> <p>Arthur Trichett-Wile/The Gazette via AP</p> <p> Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine, October 10, 2024″ src=”https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/YavAEQtyHVOeVBKlRzl3wg–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjk-/https://media.zenfs.com/en /aol_people_articles_471/87f9abe20dbaa8acb5fa4ecc621475cc” class=”caas-img”/></p></div> </div> </div> <div class=

Arthur Trichett-Wile/The Gazette via AP

Mollie Kathleen’s Gold Mine, October 10, 2024

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Polis added that he was relieved that the 12 people trapped in the mine were “rescued safely” and thanked the sheriff’s department and other rescue teams for their “quick response and tireless efforts” to get people out of the mine.

Mikesell earlier said at a news conference Thursday that a group of 12 people were in “serious danger” when the elevator they were riding in developed a mechanical failure about 500 feet below the surface. He said four of the 11 people rescued from the first group were treated by paramedics for neck, back and shoulder injuries.

<p>Arthur H. Trickett-Wile/The Gazette via AP</p> <p> Emergency services at Mollie Kathleen gold mine, October 10, 2024″ src=”https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/l0cCuPsw9kndzN81RjqguQ–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTY0MDtoPTk2MA–/https://media.zenfs .com/en/aol_people_articles_471/e5eadbecc7e9bfb303c3a3091a9f9e0f”/></p> <p>Arthur H. Trickett-Wile/The Gazette via AP</p> <p> Emergency services at Mollie Kathleen gold mine, October 10, 2024″ src=”https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/l0cCuPsw9kndzN81RjqguQ–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTY0MDtoPTk2MA–/https://media.zenfs .com/en/aol_people_articles_471/e5eadbecc7e9bfb303c3a3091a9f9e0f” class=”caas-img”/></p></div> </div> </div> <div class=

Arthur H. Trickett-Wile/The Gazette via AP

Emergency services at the Mollie Kathleen gold mine, October 10, 2024

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“Due to the damage the elevator sustained, we don’t know if that contributed to its failure,” he said.

An additional group of 12 people, who were 300 meters underground, had to be rescued when the elevator failed and waited for about six hours in 50-degree temperatures until the elevator started working again.

“They all swam out very safely, four at a time, so we could get to the surface,” he added. “Everyone is in a good mood, we fed them pizza, that’s what they wanted, so we have good news at the end.”

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