A tour guide at Colorado’s historic Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine tragically died in an accident on Thursday. The victim, identified as 46-year-old Patrick Weier from Victor, Colorado, was leading a tour when the incident occurred 500 feet underground. The accident has left the community in shock as investigators work to determine what went wrong.
Victim Identified as Longtime Local Tour Guide
Teller County Sheriff Jason Mikesell confirmed on Friday that Patrick Weier, a 46-year-old tour guide, lost his life during the incident. Weier, who had made Victor his home, leaves behind a 7-year-old son and a grieving family. His mother, Ruth Weier, expressed her devastation, noting the overwhelming support from friends and community members.
“I’m pretty drained,” said Ruth. “He was a great guy, and I had no idea how many friends he had.” She added that the outpouring of love and tributes for her son has brought her some comfort during this difficult time.
Weier was one of eight siblings and had previously lived in the Chicago area before moving to Colorado. In Chicago, Weier and his brother created a mascot-like character called “Billy Cub,” which became a fan favorite outside Chicago Cubs baseball games. Weier’s vibrant personality shone through both in his work and personal life.
The Incident: What Happened Underground
The tragic accident occurred 500 feet underground in one of the mine’s shafts. Weier was on duty as a tour guide when the elevator, commonly referred to as a “skip” by miners, malfunctioned. There were eleven people on the elevator at the time, including two children. Four others sustained minor injuries during the incident, while Weier did not survive. The injured individuals were brought to the surface, where mental health and emergency response teams were waiting to provide support.
Another group of visitors was located further underground when the accident happened. They were temporarily trapped due to concerns about the safety of the elevator system. After six hours, the visitors were safely brought to the surface following an inspection of the elevator mechanism.
Teller County Sheriff Mikesell acknowledged the traumatic nature of the incident, stating, “It was very traumatic. I know that. They saw some bad things.”
Investigation Launched by Federal Agencies
Following the accident, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have launched an investigation. Federal investigators are now working alongside local authorities to uncover what led to the deadly malfunction.
“Currently, we don’t know what happened at 500 feet to cause this. That’s something we’re working through,” Sheriff Mikesell said. “I don’t know that that was a stopping location. I’m very certain [the elevator] was on its descent when this occurred, and then it was brought back up from there.”
The sheriff mentioned that there appeared to be a mechanical issue with the elevator doors, which had been “mangled” during the incident. “We know that the elevator dropped a little bit. We know the doors were mangled,” he added. “Anytime you’re dealing with heavy machinery and the 1,000-foot level, up to the 500-foot level in a mine, there could be accidents. And this was a tragic accident.”
Mechanical Failure: The Role of the Elevator “Skip”
The elevator system in question, often referred to as a “skip,” is the primary means of transporting people and materials through the mine’s shaft. In mines like the Mollie Kathleen, the skip is fitted with safety mechanisms designed to prevent catastrophic failures. One such feature includes wood guides on either side of the elevator and devices known as “dogs,” which are activated by springs if the cable breaks. The dogs dig into the wood rails to halt the elevator’s descent.
However, in this case, the cable did not break. Investigators are now trying to determine if the doors or another part of the skip’s machinery failed, leading to the accident.
Former mine worker William Snare, who held the same position as Weier, expressed disbelief about the accident, stating that safety inspections were a routine part of daily operations at the mine. “Morning safety inspections every day. We’d go down, run a gas meter down… If it was unsafe, we wouldn’t do it,” Snare explained.
He also noted that he had never been concerned about the safety of the elevator system during his time working at the mine.
Mine’s History of Safety
The Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine, located in Cripple Creek, is not an active gold-producing mine but operates as a popular tourist destination. The mine has been offering tours for around 60 years, allowing visitors to experience a historic slice of Colorado’s mining industry. The operation is run by a local family and has drawn thousands of tourists each year.
Before this incident, the mine had maintained an impeccable safety record, with no accidents reported in the past 40 years. Sheriff Mikesell emphasized that such an accident is incredibly rare, further adding to the shock of the community.
“This was a tragic accident,” the sheriff said. “The mine has a long history of safe operations, and this incident is something no one could have predicted.”
Federal Oversight and Safety Protocols
The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), in conjunction with OSHA, is responsible for overseeing safety in the nation’s mines, both active and non-active. In a statement released after the accident, the U.S. Department of Labor expressed its condolences to the victims and their families, affirming its commitment to ensuring mine safety through thorough investigations.
“The Mine Safety and Health Administration carries out the provisions of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, as amended by the Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response (MINER) Act of 2006,” the statement read. “The agency’s mandate from Congress is to protect the safety and health of the nation’s miners.”
The investigation into the accident is expected to be lengthy, with officials working to gather as much information as possible to prevent future incidents.
A Community Mourns
The town of Victor, where Patrick Weier lived, is reeling from the loss of a beloved community member. Known for his generosity, warmth, and sense of humor, Weier touched the lives of many in the small mining town. His work as a tour guide at the Mollie Kathleen Mine allowed him to share his passion for history and mining with thousands of visitors each year.
As his family and friends mourn his passing, they remember the joy he brought to those around him and the deep connection he had with the local community.
Former colleague William Snare summed up the sentiments of many who knew Weier, saying, “As a tour guide, you feel responsible for the rest of your people. Even as a hoistman, as soon as you grab that handle, you feel responsible for the people on that.”
Conclusion
The tragic accident at the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine has left a community devastated and investigators searching for answers. While federal authorities work to determine the exact cause of the incident, the focus remains on ensuring that no similar accidents occur in the future. For now, the family of Patrick Weier, along with the town of Victor, is left to grieve the loss of a man who gave so much to his community.
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