Sugarloaf chairlift accident

HLN just had a story about a chairlift derailment due to high winds at Sugarloaf today. Some chairs fell 30-40 ft. Rescue efforts are on going.

http://www.rr.com/news/topic/article/rr/9000/30646303/Several_injured_as_chairs_drop_from_Maine_ski_lift

Yikes. I can't BELIEVE no one was seriously hurt or killed. Soft snow or not. That's a miracle.

Report Faults Maintenance on Sugarloaf’s Derailed Ski Lift
June 13, 2011
By First Tracks!! Online Media

Carrabassett Valley, ME - The Maine State Board of Elevator and Tramway Safety on Friday released its report following an investigation into the deropement of the Spillway East Chairlift at Sugarloaf Resort last December.

While the report failed to identify a specific cause for the December 28 mishap, in which a number of the ski lifts loaded chairs plunged 25-30 feet to the ground, investigators faulted the Maine resort for inconsistent maintenance training standards and inadequate maintenance programs. They found that resort officials even lacked a complete maintenance manual for the aging chairlift, which is currently earmarked for replacement.

Full Article on FTO:

http://www.firsttracksonline.com/2011/06/13/report-faults-maintenance-on-sugarloafs-derailed-ski-lift/