The company which runs a ski resort where five children and an adult were injured when a chairlift derailed has said it is “extremely upset” by the incident.
In a statement published on its Facebook page, Lecht 2090 said it did not know what caused Tuesday’s malfunction at Corgarff in Aberdeenshire.
An investigation is due to take place by the Health and Safety Executive. The chairlift, which is the only lift of its kind at the Lecht Ski Centre resort, is expected to remain closed for some time.
The statement read: “Some of you might know there was an incident with the chairlift this afternoon (Tuesday) where six people were injured. We are extremely upset that these people have been injured but as yet we don’t [know] the cause of the problem with the chair.
“The first response was to look after the injured. The rest of the skiers were then taken off the chairlift by the two Lecht teams within around one hour and 20 minutes. A major incident was called by the company to alert all the other emergency agents who reacted quickly. The chair will be out of action for a while but the rest of the lifts will be working as normal.”
A number of comments were left on the site by people who said they had been present at the time of the accident, and they praised the work of rescue teams and the emergency services during the incident.
Five children and an adult were taken to hospital after the incident. Three of the injured group were airlifted from the slope while the others were taken by ambulance. None were thought to be in a life-threatening condition.
Grampian Police, fire service and mountain rescue teams assisted with the rescue.
A force spokesman said: “Six people five children and one adult have been taken to hospital with what are believed to be non life-threatening injuries.
“Grampian Police and Braemar Mountain Rescue Teams were mobilised to assist with the rescue of those stranded.
“Units from Grampian Fire and Rescue Service, the Scottish Ambulance Service and local doctors were also called to the scene to assist.
“Inquiries are ongoing to establish the cause of the incident.”
A spokeswoman for the Lecht centre said 36 other people who were stranded on the chairlift were rescued after the accident.
She said: “All the casualties are in a stable condition, three were taken to hospital by helicopter and three by ambulance.
“Staff evacuated 36 people that were stuck on the other chairlifts and everyone was off the slope within an hour and 40 minutes.
“We don’t know the reason for the accident, however the Health and Safety Executive and the Lecht will be investigating the cause.”
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