Seventh Victim Sent to the Hospital

Carrabassett Valley, ME – An inspector from the State of Maine Board of Elevator and Tramway Safety arrived at Sugarloaf ski resort in Carrabassett Valley this afternoon to conduct an investigation into the causes of this morning’s accident on the Spillway East chairlift.

Sugarloaf personnel are assisting in the investigation. Additional engineering personnel are expected to arrive this evening and will join the investigation team on Wednesday.

Earlier reports were that six people were injured this morning when the chairlift’s cable derailed from tower sheaves, sending five chairs plummeting up to 30 feet to the ground. Resort officials now indicate that a seventh chairlift passenger was sent to Franklin Memorial Hospital in Farmington as a precautionary measure early this afternoon. That individual had been reportedly checked at the scene by resort medical personnel and stated that he was fine, but later reported feeling some pain and was transported to the hospital.

Sugarloaf officials declined to name those injured for reasons of patient confidentiality.

“We’re deeply concerned about those who were injured,” said Sugarloaf spokesman Ethan Austin, “and we’re committed to understanding the cause of this incident. We want our guests to have fun, but our first priority is their safety.”

Austin acknowledged that weather conditions at the mountain today were windy, which is not atypical at Sugarloaf immediately after a major snowstorm. The affected lift was on wind hold early this morning, but began operations when the wind diminished by mid-morning.

The ski resort plans normal operations for the remainder of the week with the exception of the Spillway East chair, which will remain closed until the preliminary investigation is completed and the lift is cleared by the State of Maine to resume operation.