A tragic incident occurred when a tour guide died at the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine in Cripple Creek, Colorado, after an elevator malfunctioned, trapping tourists hundreds of feet below ground for several hours. The deceased victim, identified as Patrick Weier, was one of the tour guides at the mine. The incident took place around noon on Thursday, with eleven people initially rescued from the elevator, including Weier and two children. Four adults were injured, but all were treated and released from the hospital.
To rescue the remaining 12 individuals and tour guide stuck at the 1,000-foot level, engineers had to repair the elevator, check the cables, and conduct a test run. The owner of the mine and his son played a crucial role in the rescue operation. Rescue efforts were successful, with all trapped individuals brought to safety by 7 p.m.
Authorities are investigating the cause of the accident, which is believed to be related to a mechanical issue. The mine, a popular tourist destination, had not experienced an incident of this nature since 1986.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis expressed condolences to the family and friends of the deceased tour guide. Local officials described the incident as a tragedy and praised the efforts of all involved in the rescue operation. The community and authorities are working together to understand what transpired and prevent such accidents in the future.
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