The rescue call last week for people trapped in a gold mine hit home for Cripple Creek Fire Chief Joe O'Conor.
Two people climbed a ladder to provide valuable information to O'Conor and the other responders. There were a dozen trapped 1,000 feet underground while 12 others were on an elevator when the malfunction occurred, KRDO reported.
When he saw the first elevator come up, his worst fear was realized.
"It became very clear that Patrick Weier was the victim."
Weier was more than a tour guide at the gold mine. He was one of O'Conor's firefighters.
"Our fire department, Cripple Creek Fire, knew him very well. He had participated in 2023, in our firefighter academy and was certified as a firefighter and hazardous materials operations. We knew Patrick. We knew his son. We had spent a good bit of time with both of them and it hit our folks hard."
"He had all the skills and he was very motivated and he had wanted to be a career firefighter. But taking care of his son took priority, and our schedule was just not conducive."
