Carrabassett Valley, MaineOfficials at Sugarloaf Mountain ski resort are reporting that a ski lift accident has resulted in several people requiring hospitalization for injuries, while others remain trapped on the 100 chairs that make up the lift.
According to a report on CNN.com the communications manager for Sugarloaf, Ethan Austin, said there was a derailment on one tower of the chair lift, which happened about 10:30 a.m.. The cable skipped over the edge of the pulley, causing all of the chairs on the lift to fall several feet, while some fell to ground – a distance of at least 20-30 feet. Winds in the area were gusting between 30 and 50 mph, which may have contributed ot the accident.
According to a report on CBSNews.com two of the people injured were taken by ambulance to Franklin Memorial Hospital, located about 45 minutes away in Farmington. More people may require hospitalization but at the time of writing people remain trapped on the chair lift. Officials say it could take over an hour to get everyone safely off the lift.