Brother describes man killed in Teller County mine as ‘my best friend’

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TELLER COUNTY, Colo. – A man who died when an elevator malfunctioned while touring a mine in Teller County will be remembered as “an amazing person and my best friend,” his brother told Denver7.

John Weier released a statement on behalf of his loved ones on Tuesday, saying their “hearts and souls are breaking” following the death of his brother, Patrick Walter Weier.

Patrick, 46, was a longtime employee of the Mollie Kathleen gold mine and a resident of Victor, Colorado. He died in an incident that took place on October 10, during which 23 people were rescued.

Patrick is believed to have died when the elevator was at an altitude of 150 meters, and after the elevator was brought to the surface, 11 people were rescued. The remaining 12 people were at a depth of 300 meters in the mine and were rescued after a multi-hour operation.

The crash is under investigation.

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An elevator door was “broken” during a mine accident in Colorado

John said his brother was “the most loving and selfless person I have ever known.” He was also an amazing father to his young son.

“(Patrick’s) bond with his son was something I had never seen before – true best friends and adventure buddies,” John said. “I can’t even begin to think how much I will miss him because I know his son will miss him 100 times more.”

John said the family had received an “outpouring of love and support from the community” which “helped ease our pain during this devastating time.”

“Now all we can do is remember what an amazing man (Patrick) was and do our best to take care of his son,” John said.

The family asks for privacy while they mourn and make arrangements. Those wishing to support the Weier family, especially son Patrick, can donate to the online GoFundMe fundraiser.

Full statement:

“My brother, Patrick Walter Weier, was an amazing person and my best friend. He was the most loving and selfless person I have ever known. This loss hits everyone much harder because of the truly amazing and genuine man he was. Everyone who met him saw it within minutes. His bond with his son was something I had never seen before – true best friends and adventure buddies. I can’t even imagine how much I will miss him because I know his son we will miss him 100 times more. Our hearts and souls are broken and I wish I could take his place. All we can do now is remember the amazing man he was and do our best to take care of his son.

The outpouring of love and support from the community has been incredible and is the only thing that has helped ease our pain during this devastating time. We are deeply grateful for your kindness.

The family kindly requests privacy while they mourn and make arrangements. Thank you for your understanding and continued support.”

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