A ski lift malfunction at Pats Peak Ski Area in Henniker, New Hampshire, prompted an evacuation of over 100 individuals yesterday. The Peak Triple chairlift experienced a deropement, a situation where a rope became detached from its tower, leaving passengers stranded mid-air. "Mountain Operations and Ski Patrol responded and were able to safely evacuate 120 guests from the lift," Pats Peak detailed in a statement obtained by NBC Boston. The entire evacuation process was executed within 90 minutes and without injuries.
Following the incident, the Henniker Fire Department reported that the lift malfunction was likely due to forceful wind conditions that had prompted a high wind warning in the area. According to Hunter Tubbs, a forecaster for National Weather Service in Maine, wind speeds at the time were ranging from a vigorous 40 to 50 mph. Despite the setback, operations at Pats Peak continued, with the lift being repaired and the ski area remaining open yesterday. A receptionist for the resort confirmed to The Boston Globe that the ski area didn't close following the mishap.
This event is the third in a troubling series of ski lift malfunctions in New Hampshire this month. Earlier in February, a man suffered an injury when he fell 20 feet due to his chair detaching from the lift at Attitash Mountain Resort. The incident, suspected to be caused by mechanical failure, led to his hospitalization. Shortly thereafter, a similar incident at Cannon Mountain required 64 people to be rescued by rope from a malfunctioned ski lift, fortunately resulting in no injuries.
In the wake of these incidents, New Hampshire Gov. Kelly Ayotte has expressed a commitment to ski patron safety, declaring her office will collaborate with state and industry partners, as she told NBC Boston, "to ensure skiers can safely enjoy the season."
