Gondola tower collapses at Whistler resort trapping skiers

[inanna]

Source: Canadian Press

WHISTLER, B.C. — At least a dozen passengers are trapped inside two gondolas after a tower partially collapsed at the ski resort in Whistler, B.C.

Police say there were no serious injuries, but the passengers are stranded as emergency officials work out a plan to evacuate them from the stranded gondolas on the Excalibur lift.

RCMP Sgt. Steve Wright said the fire department is trying to reach the skiers and snowboarders left dangling in the gondolas, which are attached to a long wire cable.

"They have their ladder trucks now, they're just setting up," Wright said. "We have victim services here with some of the families that have people on the gondolas."

The B.C. ambulance service has dispatched six ambulances and an air ambulance following the accident that happened around 2:30 p.m. Four ambulances and the air ambulance remain on standby at the scene.


Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5jM289Feiu1fnQkf5FPT0lrfevm7w

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Yikes! I went on the gondola lift once in Banff, Alberta. Would never want to be stranded in one of these things.

[uppityperson]

1. Seattle npr said the gondola had flipped upside down, 2 are suspended in air, none fell.

Finally it snows and this happens. Hoping the best for all there.

[maxsolomon]

2. since no one's hurt i can cavalierly say: shit wears out.

Blackcomb is going to have really nice snow the next few weeks. it's going to take so long to get up to the glacier via the quads that the gapers will ride Whistler & Creekside.

[pimpbot]

3. Dont forget the Peak 2 Peak just opened

You can ride up to Whistler peak and then catch the peak 2 peak over to blackcomb.

[maxsolomon]

4. damn it! foiled!

the gapers will infest the heights!