Tributes have been paid to a Colorado father of one who died Thursday in a gold mine failure.
Patrick Weier, 46, died Thursday after an incident at the Mollie Kathleen gold mine near Cripple Creek.
Weier worked at the center as a tour guide and volunteer firefighter and left behind a 7-year-old child.
Annie Durham, mayor of Cripple Creek, described Weier as an active member of the community who was highly respected.
Weier was the only casualty after an incident at the mine, now a tourist attraction, involving a failure of its elevator system.
Patrick Weier, 46, died Thursday after an incident at the Mollie Kathleen gold mine near Cripple Creek
Weier worked at the facility shown as a tour guide and as a volunteer firefighter. He left behind a 7-year-old child
His death and an as yet unknown failure resulted in twelve people remaining trapped in the mine at a depth of 300 meters for many hours, waiting for rescue.
Rescue teams arrived at the scene and managed to pull eleven people stuck halfway down the shaft to safety.
Since officials announced that Weier was the only person who lost their life, social media has been flooded with tributes to him.
Close friend Chris Martin posted on his Facebook page calling him one of the “best people I have ever had the honor to know.”
He said, “I miss you, brother, I can't believe you're gone. This is heartbreaking beyond measure.
The impression you left on all of us will remain with us for the rest of our lives. Thank you for everything, my man. You truly were a light in a dark world.
Dana Ballard wrote similarly: “I'm speechless. It doesn't seem real that you're gone. We had plans to conquer the world.
“You were a great friend, father and hero. I love you brother. We will meet again.
Since officials announced that Weier was the only person who lost their life, social media has been flooded with tributes to him
The failure of the elevator system created a “serious hazard” to those on board while they were 500 feet into the mine, according to the sheriff.
Chris Gosnell added: “I have no words to hear this terrible news. I will miss our random chats and banter.
“Great memories that I will remember forever. I love you, man.
Teller County Sheriff Jason Mikesell said Friday: “We have lost someone in our local community who we will miss who is the father of a child and has family in the area. He was a good man and loved his job.
According to Mikesell, an investigation into the malfunction is currently ongoing and being conducted by OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration).
Officials said at least four people suffered minor injuries, including back and neck pain, and were treated at the scene.
The mine, a tourist attraction, officially closed in the 1960s but still offers tours that take people 100 stories into the earth
According to Mollie Kathleen's website, the last day of tours for the season was supposed to be Sunday
First responders are working on the scene following an incident that occurred on Thursday afternoon
The mine, a tourist attraction, officially closed in the 1960s but still offers tours that take people 100 stories into the earth.
According to the company's website, the tour includes a two-minute descent into the mine, where tourists can walk a quarter-mile underground.
According to Mollie Kathleen's website, the last day of the tour in the season was to be next Sunday.
Gov. Jared Polis said in a statement Thursday: “I am relieved that the 12 people trapped in the Mollie Kathleen Mine were safely rescued.
“We offer our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the person who died in this incident.”
