Tour Guide Falls to Death in Colorado Mine Elevator Accident
Investigation reveals safety lapse as tour guide fell from descending elevator, landing on a tourist before succumbing to injuries.
DENVER — A tour guide at a historic Colorado gold mine tragically fell to his death last year after failing to properly latch the elevator door, causing it to swing open mid-descent, according to newly released investigative documents obtained by The Associated Press.
The accident occurred in October at the Mollie Kathleen Mine, near Colorado Springs. The guide, Patrick Weier, 46, was leading a group of tourists on a 1,000-foot descent into the mine when the incident unfolded. Investigators from the Teller County Sheriff’s Office determined that as the elevator moved downward, the unsecured door swung out, struck the mine shaft, and caused Weier to fall out. He was dragged before ultimately landing on top of a tourist in the upper compartment of the double-decker elevator.
Authorities had previously cited “operator error” as the cause of Weier’s death but had not provided further details until now. A subsequent inspection by state mining regulators found no mechanical failures or issues with the mine’s equipment.
Steve Schafrik, an associate professor of mining engineering at the University of Kentucky, noted that in commercial mining operations, elevators are typically designed with safety systems that prevent movement if doors are not securely latched. However, he acknowledged that safety standards for mine tour operations may differ.
A Crowded Descent Turns Fatal
Surveillance footage revealed that prior to the accident, Weier struggled to squeeze into the lower section of the elevator due to overcrowding. Witnesses reported that he asked passengers to make more space but ultimately had to reach awkwardly to close the door. A tourist had suggested he ride in the upper level, where there was more room, but he did not respond.
Passengers stated that shortly after the descent began, the elevator started scraping against the mine shaft walls. Weier, visibly alarmed, was heard cursing and saying, “I can’t stop this,” as debris began flying in the darkness. Within moments, the improperly latched door dislodged, bent, and opened, ultimately leading to Weier’s fatal fall. Investigators believe he managed to ring the emergency bell just before falling. Initially trapped between the moving elevator and the shaft wall, he was then thrown onto the upper compartment, landing on a female tourist who later described feeling suffocated under his weight.
Another woman in the lower car became trapped by the bent door but was later freed by fellow passengers.
Rescue Efforts and Aftermath
Two women from the top car climbed a deteriorating ladder to seek help, fearing for their safety as parts of it broke along the way. Meanwhile, emergency crews worked to ensure the elevator could be safely operated before bringing up the remaining tourists, some of whom were stranded underground for several hours.
Efforts to reach the mine’s owner for comment have been unsuccessful, and its website states that it is closed until further notice.
Weier, a local resident of Victor, Colorado, is survived by his 7-year-old son. His passing has deeply affected the community, with several former tour participants donating to an online fundraiser in his memory, commending his knowledge and passion for mining history.