DENVER (KDVR) — On Friday, the Teller County Sheriff’s Office identified the person who died in a mine malfunction near Cripple Creek.
Teller County Sheriff Jason Mikesell and Commissioner Dan Williams spoke at a conference at noon and said the man who died was identified as 46-year-old Patrick Weier of Victor. Weier worked at the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine as a tour guide. He leaves behind a 7-year-old child.
Annie Durham, the mayor of Cripple Creek, spoke about Weier and said he was pursuing a career as a firefighter. He had just received his certification and was planning on becoming a volunteer firefighter.
Weier was described as an active member of the community who was well respected.
Mechanical issue believed to be the cause
On Thursday afternoon, law enforcement was called to the former Colorado gold mine that now operates as a tourist attraction. Once on scene, the sheriff’s office learned that nearly two dozen people were trapped underground.
On Friday, Mikesell said the department believes the incident stems from a mechanical issue involving the elevator system that lowers tourists into the mine. Mikesell said that at about 500 feet below ground, an issue occurred with the doors. Investigators are still working to figure out what caused the initial problem.
In total, 23 people were rescued from the mine — 11 people were on the elevator. Twelve adults from a second group were trapped for about six hours at about 1,000 feet with a different guide. The 23 victims only sustained minor injuries and they were offered mental health support, according to the sheriff’s office.
According to Mikesell, OSHA and the Mine Safety and Health Administration are involved in the investigation.
Family that runs mining operation described as ‘good people’
During the press conference on Friday, Mikesell talked about the family that has run the tourist operation for generations and described them as good people.
“This family that runs that mining operation, or that tourist operation, they’re good people. They’ve been doing it, I believe, 60 years, and this was just a very tragic event that occurred,” said Mikesell.
Mikesell, along with Williams, also discussed how they hope the mine reopens, as it’s a historical representation of how the mining industry worked in Teller County.
“We want to see it open back up, and hopefully they can go through the safety mechanisms and make sure it’s a safe event,” said Mikesell.
The investigation into the cause of the malfunction is ongoing. The sheriff’s office said this is the first incident in 40 years.
This was the final week of operation for the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine as it closes for winter. The mine will be closed until further notice, according to its website.