Miracle escape of couple in ski lift hit by a tree
Brit pair thrown from cabin in Alps storm
TWO British skiers whose cable car was demolished mid-air by a stormtoppled tree were saved as the force of it flung them out into the snow.
Sam Brown and Rachel Henson were travelling down a mountain in the French Alps when fierce winds uprooted a large fir that crashed on their gondola.
The couple, who were on the first day of their holiday in Abondance, near Lake Geneva, were launched through the smashed window as the car’s roof folded under the impact.
They plunged 20ft into the snow, where they later woke just feet apart.
Meanwhile the tree snapped in half and the car flew back up into the air, still attached to the cable.
Sam, 23, of Clapham, South West London, said: “It was really strong winds so they shut most of the lifts at the resort. We went to get the lift down to town. We were in the gondola between a line of trees when a gust came and there was an automatic cut-out of power, so we had stopped.
“I saw one tree fall on the other side where there were gondolas going up.
“The wires shook quite violently and the next thing I know there’s another crack – it was a tree falling on our side.
“I don’t really know what happened next – I just found myself in the snow and there was debris from the gondola around me.”
He helped Rachel, 25, to her feet and they made their way 100 yards to a path leading to an empty chalet where they awaited rescue. He said: “We’re very lucky to have come out with just a few cuts and bruises and no broken bones.
“All those who helped us were incredible. We’d really like to thank them.” The pair plan to ski again before leaving.