Ski lift crash strands, injures riders
A SKI LIFT malfunctioned Saturday during the opening weekend of a popular resort in Pennsylvania.
Several chairs crashed into one another with riders suspended in the air, NBC affiliate WJAC reported.
First responders were on the scene, and several injured skiers were taken away by ambulance, according to the report.
The Tussey Mountain Ski Area announced the accident on Facebook about 11 a.m., saying, “Having difficulties with the chairlift. we are working on it now. May not be able to run it today. Stay tuned. . . . #sorry.”
It said that beginner terrain and the tube park remain open.
Eastern Dutchess County Fire and Rescue said four chairs “slid backwards and slammed into each other.”
It said 20 skiers were “stuck/pinned with injuries.”
It said the ski lift could not be restarted, and “all persons will have to be lowered by rope.”
All passengers were safely removed from the lift before 1 p.m.