Patrick Weier, a 46-year-old father and tour guide at the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine in Colorado, died in a tragic elevator accident. The incident occurred when the elevator was about 500 feet down the 1,000-foot deep shaft at the mine. Weier had a 7-year-old son and lived in a small community nearby. The circumstances of his death have not been disclosed, but investigators believe it was due to a mechanical issue rather than a medical episode. The elevator was descending at the time of the accident, and some initial reports suggested it may have dropped or bounced, though there is no camera in the elevator to show exactly what happened.
The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration, along with other agencies, are investigating the incident. The mine has closed until further notice, and first responders have been thanked for their efforts. Governor Jared Polis extended his condolences, and the White House also reached out following the tragedy. Teller County Commissioner Dan Williams emphasized the need for mourning at this time.
A total of 24 individuals were involved in the incident, with 11, including Weier, on the elevator at the time. The mine conducts safety inspections, and an official from the state agency responsible for these inspections was on the scene after the accident. The exact cause of the accident is still under investigation as officials work to understand what happened at the 500-foot level of the mine shaft.
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