Broken elevator door led to Colorado mine accident that killed 1, trapped 12 tourists
Investigators are searching for answers after an elevator malfunction inside Colorado's historic Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine left a tour guide dead, four others injured, and 12 people trapped for hours at the bottom of the tourist attraction.
The accident occurred on Thursday when the elevator, descending roughly 500 feet into the mine near Cripple Creek, experienced a mechanical issue. The Teller County Sheriff, Jason Mikesell, said that the operator noticed something strange during the descent and stopped the elevator, but the damage had already been done.
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The tour guide, Patrick Weier, 46, from Victor, Colorado, died due to the malfunction. Four others suffered minor injuries, including back, neck, and arm pain, but were safely brought back up within 20 minutes. The exact details of the malfunction are still unclear, but a door on the elevator was broken when it was raised.
12 people trapped for hours
A second group of 12 adults, who were on a separate tour 1,000 feet below ground, remained trapped for nearly six hours while engineers assessed the elevator's safety. The group stayed in contact with authorities via radios and had access to water. Eventually, they were hoisted up in small groups, though officials were prepared to use ropes if needed.
Entrance to the Mollie Kathleen Mine on October 12, 2008 in Cripple Creek, Colorado.
Those trapped were later taken to a relief center for showers, food, and support. Ted Borden from the Community of Caring Foundation said the mood was "raw" but there was camaraderie among the group after the harrowing experience.
Elevator safety under scrutiny
Mining elevator accidents are rare, according to Steven Schafrik, a mining engineering expert. These elevators are equipped with fail-safe devices to prevent falls in case of a malfunction. However, the exact cause of this incident is still under investigation by local and federal authorities, including the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration and OSHA.
The Mollie Kathleen Mine, a popular tourist destination, will remain closed until further notice. The mine has operated tours since closing as an active gold mine in 1961. Visitors typically ride the elevator to view gold veins and mining technology, but safety concerns have now brought the mine’s operations to a halt.