Man Killed in Colorado Mine Incident That Trapped 23 Others Has Been Identified as Guide Who Worked There

Mar. 15, 2025

Patrick Weier.Photo:gofundme

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The Colorado man who waskilled after an elevator malfunctionedat the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine on Thursday, Oct. 10, has been identified.

The investigation into the incident is ongoing, and officials are still trying to figure out exactly what happened.

“We know at 500 feet is where the issue occurred,” Mikesell said during the press conference. “We know that there was some type of incident with the doors and at that point something went wrong. We don’t know what caused that. We don’t know what happened. All we know is that something occurred at that 500 foot level.”

Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine in Colorado on Oct. 10, 2024.Arthur H. Trickett-Wile/The Gazette via AP

Arthur H. Trickett-Wile/The Gazette via AP

He also noted that the family that owns the mine ”have done a great job of making it safe” with “very low safety concerns,” and described the incident as a “tragic accident” that can happen when working with “heavy machinery.”

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis shared a separatestatement, saying, “Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the individual lost in this incident.”

Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine on Oct. 10, 2024.Arthur Trichett-Wile/The Gazette via AP

Arthur Trichett-Wile/The Gazette via AP

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Polis added that he was “relieved that 12 of the people trapped” in the mine were “safely rescued,” and thanked the sheriff’s department and other emergency crews for their “swift response and tireless efforts” to get the people out of the mine.

First responders at Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine on Oct. 10, 2024.Arthur H. Trickett-Wile/The Gazette via AP

“We don’t know, because of the damage the elevator sustained, whether that would contribute to it failing,” he said.

An additional group of 12, who had been 1,000 feet underground had to be rescued due to the elevator malfunction and waited for approximately six hours in 50-degree temperatures until it was back in operation.

“They all came up very safely, four at a time so we could get them through the surface,” he added. “They’re all in good spirits, we fed them pizza, that’s what they wanted, so there’s a good news story at the end of this.”

source: people.com