Tributes have been paid to a Colorado father-of-one who died in a gold mine malfunction on Thursday.
Patrick Weier, 46, died Thursday following an incident inside the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine near Cripple Creek.
Weier worked at the facility as a tour guide and as a volunteer firefighter, and is survived by a 7-year-old child.
Annie Durham, mayor of Cripple Creek, described Weier as an active member of the local community and well respected.
Weier was the only victim after an incident inside the mine, now a tourist attraction, which involved a malfunction in the elevator system.
Patrick Weier, 46, died Thursday following an incident inside the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine near Cripple Creek
Weier worked at the facility, seen here, as a tour guide and worked as a volunteer firefighter; he is survived by a 7-year-old child
His death and still-unknown malfunction left twelve people trapped 300 meters underground in the mine for hours as they waited to be rescued.
Rescue teams arrived at the scene and managed to rescue eleven people who were trapped in the middle of the well.
Since authorities announced that Weier was the only person who lost his life, social media has been flooded with tributes to him.
Close friend Chris Martin posted on his Facebook page describing him as one of the “best men I have had the privilege of knowing”.
He said, 'I miss you bro, I can't believe you're gone. This is heartbreaking beyond measure.
'The impression you left on all of us will be carried with us for the rest of our lives. Thanks for everything my man. You truly were a light in a very dark world.
Dana Ballard similarly posted: 'I'm speechless. It doesn't seem real, you're gone. We had plans to face the world.
'You were a great friend, father and hero. I love you, bro. We will meet again.
Since authorities announced that Weier was the only person who lost his life, social media has been flooded with tributes to him.
According to the sheriff, a malfunction in the elevator system created a “serious danger” to those on board while they were 500 feet underground in the mine.
Chris Gosnell added: “I am speechless hearing the terrible news. I will miss our random conversations and jokes.
'Great memories that I will cherish forever. I love you, man.
Teller County Sheriff Jason Mikesell said Friday: 'We have lost a person in our local community who will be missed, who is the father of a young 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 ongoing and is led by OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration).
According to authorities, at least four people suffered minor injuries, including back and neck pain, which were treated at the scene.
The mine, which is a tourist attraction, officially closed in the 1960s but continues to offer tours that take people 100 stories deep into the earth.
According to the Mollie Kathleen website, the last day of tours of the season would be this Sunday
First responders are seen here working at the scene following the incident on Thursday afternoon
The mine, which is a tourist attraction, officially closed in the 1960s but continues to offer tours that take people 100 stories deep into the earth.
According to the company's website, the tour involves a two-minute descent into the mine, where tourists can walk 400 meters into underground terrain.
According to the Mollie Kathleen website, the last day of tours of the season would be this Sunday.
Gov. Jared Polis said in a statement Thursday, “I am relieved that 12 of the people trapped in the Mollie Kathleen mine were safely rescued.
“Our deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of the individual lost in this incident.”
