A serious incident has occurred in the Tyrolean resort of Hochoetz in Austria overnight (10.30am local time) as a Danish family of four were rescued from a gondola that plummeted over 10 metres.
A tree fell on the Acherkogelbahn gondola’s support cable, sending the gondola to the ground and the family have sustained life threatening injuries. The BBC reports two other people were also injured.
Rescue operations were hampered by steep and rocky terrain making it difficult for helicopter access. The Danish father, son, daughter and uncle had to be winched from the scene and are now in Innsbruck and Zams hospitals. The father and uncle are known to be in their forties and the children in their later teens.
The gondola lift can transport 8 people per gondola from 812m altitude to 2000m altitude in just under eight minutes.
Police are now investigating the incident.
More to come.
