Sun Oct 13 06:40:00 UTC 2024: ## Deadly Elevator Accident at Colorado Gold Mine Traps Tourists, Kills Guide
**Cripple Creek, Colorado** – A tragic elevator accident at the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine near Colorado Springs resulted in the death of a tour guide and the injury of four others on Thursday, October 10th. The incident also left 12 people trapped underground for several hours.
The accident occurred as an elevator was descending into the mine shaft, a popular tourist attraction that takes visitors 1,000 feet (305 meters) underground. The elevator stopped at a depth of 500 feet (152 meters), and the operator noticed a mechanical issue with the elevator’s door. While those onboard were brought back up within 20 minutes, the incident resulted in the death of 46-year-old Patrick Weier, a local tour guide.
The Teller County Sheriff’s Department confirmed that Weier’s death was caused by the elevator malfunction and not a medical issue. Eleven other individuals, including two children, were also on the elevator during the accident. Four sustained minor injuries, while the remaining passengers were unharmed.
A separate group of 12 adults, who were on a different tour, became trapped in the mine for roughly six hours due to the elevator malfunction. Thankfully, they had access to water and communication with authorities via radios. Engineers ensured the elevator was safe for operation, and the trapped individuals were brought up in groups of four over 30 minutes.
While elevator accidents in mines are considered extremely rare, the incident at the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine has raised concerns about safety protocols and the condition of the mine’s equipment. The mine, owned and operated by a local family for generations, is subject to daily safety inspections required by the state. However, the date of the last inspection at the Mollie Kathleen Mine was not immediately available.
The incident is currently under investigation by local and state authorities, including the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine will remain closed until further notice.
First Piper 