
A group of tourists were left traumatized after they became trapped in a 1,000-foot-deep gold mine. And their tour guide died.
The ordeal unfolded after a mechanical malfunction left the tourists trapped for some seven hours.
At a glance:
- A tour guide died, and 12 tourists were trapped in a malfunctioning elevator at the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine in Colorado.
- The tourists were rescued after being stuck underground for seven hours.
- An investigation has been launched into the mechanical fault, believed to involve a door malfunction.
A tragic incident occurred at the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine in Cripple Creek, Colorado, on Thursday when a mechanical fault in an elevator left 12 tourists and their guide trapped underground, resulting in the death of tour guide Patrick Weier, 46. Weier, who was also an aspiring volunteer firefighter, leaves behind a 7-year-old child.
The group was about halfway down the 1,000-foot descent to the bottom of the mine when the elevator malfunctioned, cutting their journey short. Four tourists were treated for minor injuries following their rescue. Another group of 12 people, waiting at the bottom of the mine, was also trapped for several hours before being brought to safety.
https://x.com/JRodzMIA/status/1844825805110612272
Teller County Sheriff Jason Mikesell stated that while the tourists trapped underground had access to water and maintained communication with authorities through a two-way radio, the situation presented a “severe danger” to those inside the mine. Rescue teams had prepared to hoist them out using ropes if the elevator could not be restarted. Fortunately, the malfunction was resolved, and the trapped individuals were successfully rescued by Thursday night.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33Sl-NHQVhc
The incident is now under investigation, with officials pointing to a mechanical issue, possibly involving a door malfunction, as the cause. The mine’s operators expressed condolences to Weier’s family and gratitude to the first responders in a statement posted on the mine’s website.
The Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine, a popular tourist attraction offering a glimpse into the history of gold mining, had been operating tours for over 50 years. It was preparing to close for the season before the accident occurred. Colorado Governor Jared Polis expressed relief for the rescued individuals and extended condolences to the family and friends of the tour guide who lost his life.
Authorities are now investigating the mechanical fault that led to the fatal incident, and the mine remains closed until further notice.