We broke the news yesterday that a chair dislodged from the Gunbarrel chairlift at Thredbo around 3pm plunging a skier on the chair around 10 metres to the ground.
The skier sustained minimal physical injuries and walked away with minor bruising only. Ski patrol attended the incident. Safe Work NSW have been on site today after placing the chairlift on operational hold while holding an investigation into the accident.
The resort revealed the incident happened as a result of a “freak gust of wind” and tonight have released a more detailed statement regarding the investigation (see below).
Social media went into a frenzy today with speculation as to why and how the chair dislodged from the chairlift cable and when it will be fully operational again. The incident came after a similar accident in 2016 when a chair fell from the same lift, not far from the same place as the one fell yesterday. Though no one was riding the chair at that time.
The good news is Gunbarrel is back up and running from tomorrow.
Statement from Thredbo
Thredbo can confirm there was an isolated incident affecting a single chair on Gunbarrel Chairlift at approximately 3pm on Monday 22 July 2019. The guest involved in the incident sustained minor bruising only. No other guests or chairs were affected.
Stuart Diver, General Manager Thredbo said,
“The safety of our guests and our people is the number one priority at Thredbo. The incident has been thoroughly investigated by our team of experts, SafeWork NSW, the manufacturers of the chairlift and an independent engineer.
“Following the investigation, we can confirm that this was an isolated incident caused by a freak gust of wind. Gunbarrel Chairlift will resume operations tomorrow, Wednesday 24 July 2019.”
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