Tragic Accident at Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine Claims Life of Tour Guide, Traps Visitors Underground

A fatal accident occurred at the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine in Colorado on Thursday, resulting in the death of a 46-year-old tour guide, Patrick Weier. Weier, a resident of Cripple Creek and a respected member of the local community, was leading a tour group when the incident happened. He is survived by a 7-year-old son.

The accident was caused by a malfunction of the elevator in the mine, which is described as traditional “cable lift mine shaft hoisting equipment.” The elevator, which takes visitors on a 1,000-foot descent into the mine, experienced a mechanical failure at approximately 500 feet underground. This malfunction led to the elevator dropping slightly and its doors becoming mangled.

During the incident, 11 people, including two children, were rescued from the initial group. However, four of these individuals sustained minor injuries. Another group of 12 visitors was trapped deeper in the mine for about six hours until rescue crews could inspect and repair the elevator. To maintain calm among the trapped group, authorities decided not to inform them about the fatality and injuries.

The rescue operation was complex, with officials debating whether to send a team down the mine shaft. Ultimately, they chose to withhold information about the accident from the trapped group to avoid potential panic or medical emergencies. The mine owner insisted on being the first to go down the repaired elevator to ensure it was safe for the others.

Mine safety experts from the Colorado Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety, as well as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), are investigating the accident. The federal Mine Safety and Health Administration does not have jurisdiction over the mine since it is not an active mining operation but a tourist attraction.

Teller County Commissioner Dan Williams praised the rescue response, highlighting the collaborative effort from various political and emergency response groups. The mine, which has been in operation for over 60 years, has a strong safety record, but this incident is under thorough investigation to prevent future accidents.