A tragedy struck at a ski resort in Savoie, France, when a 53-year-old tourist was discovered lifeless at the summit after boarding a gondola alone. The incident occurred on January 6 at Val Cenis ski resort in the southeastern region of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. The man is believed to have suffered a cardiac arrest while on the mountain lift.
Despite efforts from ski patrollers who used a defibrillator and the arrival of emergency services and local police, the man was pronounced dead at the scene. On the same day, another unfortunate event unfolded at Les Menuires resort in Savoie, where a Spanish skier was found unconscious near a rock in an unmarked skiing area.
Tragedy struck earlier on December 28 at Asarigawa Onsen ski resort in Otaru, Japan, where a five-year-old boy lost his life after his arm became entangled in a lift. The child fell and got trapped in the ski travelator machinery, leading to a fatal outcome. Investigations are currently ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Reports indicate that the young victim, Hinata Goto, fell and got his arm caught in the travelator machinery while attempting to disembark. Despite efforts to stop the machine, it took rescue workers 40 minutes to free the unconscious boy before rushing him to the hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
Authorities are now examining the incident to ascertain whether any negligence was involved in the installation or maintenance of the travelator. Staff at Asarigawa Onsen Ski Resort have mentioned that the safety features were operational earlier that day, raising questions about the tragic turn of events.
Installed approximately six years ago, the 30m long and 60cm wide travelator, lacking handrails, links the resort’s car park to the ski slopes. Commonly known as “magic carpet” lifts, travelator ski lifts are typically found on beginner slopes. Visitors have previously reported difficulties while using the specific travelator where the fatal incident occurred.