A tour guide died after visitors became trapped in a 1,000-foot-deep gold mine in Colorado. What happened?

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A tour guide was identified Friday as the person killed when an elevator at a former gold mine in Colorado failed, stranding a dozen visitors at a depth of 1,000 feet for about seven hours, authorities said.

The tourist group was about halfway to the bottom of the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine in the town of Cripple Creek when the unspecified mechanical breakdown occurred shortly before noon Thursday, during a journey that normally takes two minutes.

According to Teller County Sheriff Jason Mikesell, 10 tourists, including two children, were quickly rescued from the elevator and four were treated for minor injuries. An 11th person in the elevator, identified Friday as tour guide Patrick Weier, 46, was killed. The aspiring volunteer firefighter leaves behind a 7-year-old child, Cripple Creek Mayor Annie Durham said at a news conference.

After an elevator malfunctioned, a separate group of 12 people waiting below with another tour guide were left stuck in the mine for several hours.

On Thursday afternoon, Mikesell said the 12 people stranded in the shaft had access to water and maintained contact with above-ground authorities via radio before the elevator was put back into service.

An investigation into the fatal incident has been launched, Mikesell said. Rescuers were prepared to use ropes to get the trapped guests to the surface if they couldn't get the elevator running again, Mikesell said. The cause is believed to have been a mechanical issue related to a door malfunction, which is currently under investigation, officials said Friday.

The situation, which was successfully resolved on Thursday evening, posed a “serious danger” to those trapped in the mine, Mikesell said.

“I am relieved that twelve of the people trapped in the Mollie Kathleen mine were safely rescued,” Colorado Gov. Jared Polis said in a statement after the ordeal. “Our deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of the person who died in this incident.”

This week should be the mine's last before the end of the season. On Friday, the mine's website informed visitors: “Recently the Mollie Kathleen experienced a tragic event. We would like to extend our prayers and condolences to everyone involved. We would also like to thank all the first responders and rescue workers who helped us during this difficult time. Mollie Kathleen will remain closed until further notice.”

Although the mine is no longer in operation, it has been offering tours for “well over 50 years,” Mikesell said. On Friday, he described the family that runs the mine as a tourist attraction as “good people” and said the incident was “just a very tragic event.”

The Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine offers visitors the opportunity to experience “the Old West” as it once was for the gold miners of the “World's Greatest Gold Camp.” The one-hour tour costs $30 for adults and $18 for children. A section on the attraction's Things to Know page is headed “Claustrophobia” and notes that “the tour itself is not claustrophobic, but the descent into the shaft for 2 minutes (in each direction) is very close.” It adds but adding encouragingly: “You can do it (!)”

According to the Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety, all mines in the state that accept tourists must be inspected daily for “proper ventilation, soil conditions and control, electrical hazards, general mine hazards, etc.”

In a social media post, the local fire department said: “We are thrilled to hear that all 12 people still at the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine were safely rescued.” We are grateful for the work of all the first responders who made this happen have ensured the safety of those still inside. Our condolences go out to the family who lost a loved one this evening. Please pray for them.”