A 46-year-old father and tour guide named Patrick Weier died in a tragic elevator accident at the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine in Colorado. The accident occurred about 500 feet down the 1,000-foot deep shaft while the elevator was descending. Weier had a 7-year-old son and lived in a small community near the mine. The exact cause of the accident is not yet known, but investigators believe it was a mechanical issue rather than a medical episode. The state conducts safety inspections at the mine, though specific dates were not provided during the news conference. The elevator is operated from the surface, and a total of 23 people were at the mine at the time of the accident. The mine expressed condolences to those involved and stated that it is closed until further notice. Governor Jared Polis and the White House reached out to offer condolences, and Teller County Commissioner Dan Williams emphasized the importance of taking time to mourn the loss. The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration is also investigating the incident.
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