Franconia Notch, NH – A mechanical failure forced the evacuation of 48 passengers from the Aerial Tramway at Cannon Mountain ski area in New Hampshire on Sunday.

With temperatures outside well below zero, the two counter-balancing cars on Cannon’s jigback tram screeched to a halt at 1:50 p.m. on Sunday, an estimated 50 to 75 feet from each terminal when a braking system on the lift failed. According to Cannon Mountain officials, there were 41 people in the uphill cabin and seven passengers in the cabin coming down.

When mechanics were unable to get the ski lift moving again by 3:20 p.m., evacuations were ordered.

Rescuers dropped passengers an estimated 40 feet from the tram cabin to the ground one by one, using a harness attached to a cable. Evacuations were completed by 4:45 p.m.

No injuries were reported, and evacuated passengers were given food, drink and blankets after they arrived back at the base, along with a lift ticket voucher to return to Cannon Mountain another day.

The Tramway remains closed at Cannon while maintenance crews work to rectify the problem.