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Sugarloaf chair accident injures seven

Sugarloaf chair accident injures seven The derailment of a chairlift at Sugarloaf Mountain resort in Maine on Dec. 28 sent several chairs 20 to 30 feet to the ground below, injuring eight and stranding 150 for three hours.

 

Sugarloaf chair accident injures seven

 

The derailment of a chairlift at Sugarloaf Mountain resort in Maine on Dec. 28 sent several chairs 20 to 30 feet to the ground below, injuring eight and stranding 150 for three hours.

The 35-year-old lift that was slated for replacement failed on Tuesday in high winds, though technical failure hasn't been ruled out.

Two feet of ungroomed snow acted as a buffer for the fallen and is being credited as the reason there weren't more serious injuries. Five adults and three children were taken to hospital after the accident, which took place in wind gusts up to 40 miles per hour.

The chairlift is a monocable fixed grip that carries two passengers in each chair and is inspected daily. It was manufactured in 1975 and modified in 1983.

None of the injuries are life-threatening.