A tragic accident occurred at the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine in Cripple Creek, Colorado, where an elevator malfunction led to one fatality and left 12 others trapped.

The deceased was identified as Patrick Weier, a 46-year-old tour guide, who died due to mechanical issues with the elevator during its descent.

In addition to Weier's death, four individuals sustained minor injuries, including back, neck, and arm pain, as confirmed by Teller County Sheriff Jason Mikesell.

The trapped individuals, who are located near the bottom of the mine, were in safe conditions and in communication with authorities during the rescue efforts.

Rescue operations are being conducted by the Colorado Fire Department, but the evacuation of the trapped individuals cannot proceed until the elevator system is deemed safe.

The incident occurred around noon on October 10, 2024, due to a mechanical failure of the elevator, which malfunctioned approximately 500 feet below the surface.

This incident raises concerns about the safety protocols and maintenance of older infrastructure at tourist attractions.

Colorado law mandates daily inspections of mines and their transportation systems, but the date of the last inspection at the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine is currently unknown.

Investigations into the incident are ongoing, involving local, state, and federal authorities, including the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration and OSHA.

The mine was in its final week of operation before winter closure, and it was scheduled to host its last tour of the season shortly after the incident.

To prevent anxiety, the trapped individuals were not informed about the death of their tour guide during the rescue efforts.

Sheriff Mikesell described the incident as a 'tragic accident' and emphasized that the mine's owners had previously maintained a safe environment.