CRIPPLE CREEK, Colo. (KDVR) — It's been four days since the dramatic rescue at a former gold mine turned tourist site near Cripple Creek.
The family of tour guide Patrick Weier gave FOX31 permission to share his pictures and memories. The 46-year-old father was identified as the person who died after the elevator malfunction.
The family was not ready to speak on camera and kindly asked for privacy as they grieve and make arrangements.
They said Patrick was the most loving and selfless person they have ever known and the bond he had with his 7-year-old son was one they had never seen before. They were "true best friends and adventure buddies."
“Even for those who don’t know him personally it’s just the nature of our community that this is very difficult for everyone," said Annie Durham, Mayor of Cripple Creek
Patrick's cause of death is still under investigation. His brother John Weier sent this statement to FOX31:
My brother, Patrick Walter Weier, was an amazing person and my best friend. He was the most loving and selfless person I have ever known. This loss hits everyone so much harder because of the truly incredible and genuine man that he was. Anyone who met him could see that within minutes. His bond with his son was something I’ve never seen before—true best friends and adventure buddies. I can’t even begin to think of how much I will miss him because I know his son will miss him 100 times more. Our hearts and souls are breaking, and I wish I could take his place. All we can do now is remember the incredible man he was and do our best to take care of his son.
The outpouring of love and support from the community has been incredible, and it is the one thing that has helped to ease our pain during this devastating time. We are deeply grateful for your kindness.
The family kindly asks for privacy as we grieve and make arrangements. Thank you for your understanding and continued support.
John Weier
The family has raised more than $41,000 on their GoFundMe to help support Patrick's 7-year-old son he leaves behind.
“When something happens, we band together and take care of each other," said Durham.
Authorities said that Weier was about 500 feet down the elevator shaft with a group of tourists when the elevator door appears to have malfunctioned.
“At that point, something went wrong," said Teller County Sheriff Jason Mikesell. "We don’t know what caused that; we don’t know what happened.”
For more than six hours, a dozen other visitors remained trapped 1,000 feet underground. Mikesell made the decision not to tell them specifically what happened.
“Speaking with them afterward they were thankful that we didn’t tell them; that would have caused more of anxious about how do we get out of here," he said.
The sheriff said the tourists were in good spirits with blankets, water and chairs while authorities made sure the group could be rescued using the elevator. The cause of the accident is still under investigation and the mine is closed indefinitely.
FOX31 reached out to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, which is now involved in the investigation, to get any update. FOX31 also reached out to the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine Tour owners. We are still waiting to hear back.
However, a spokesperson with the Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety Review told FOX31 there is no additional information at this time, but they are hopeful to have more to share in the next few days.
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