On Thursday, a ski lift at Dartmouth Skiway in Lyme, New Hampshire, experienced a significant malfunction, leaving nearly 60 individuals, among them children, suspended in the cold. According to NBC Boston, emergency services, including multiple fire departments and ski patrol units, were swiftly deployed to carry out a rescue operation. All 59 passengers were methodically evacuated using ropes, a process that took about 90 minutes to safely and completely execute before the evening's darkness set in.
In what was clearly a coordinated effort to rapidly rescue each stranded skier, first responders implemented their training to effectively handle the situation. "The operation was completed with quick, safe, and efficient work by all rescapers," reported Lyme Fire Chief Aaron Rich in a post on the Lyme Fire Department's Facebook page, confirming the swiftness of the rescue as obtained by NBC Boston. Once on the ground, each individual was examined by emergency medical services to ensure there were no cold-weather-related injuries, such as hypothermia or frostbite.
The attempted task to thoroughly check every individual for possible injuries was essential, given the risks linked with prolonged exposure to the cold. Following the evaluations, all were escorted back to Dartmouth Skiway's main lodge to warm up and reunite with their families.
While the majority of those rescued did not require further medical attention, one person was reported to have been injured during the incident and was taken to Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center for treatment. The nature of the injury was not immediately disclosed. The collaborative response from multiple agencies was pivotal, ensuring that everyone was safely back on solid ground before the risk of nightfall—and colder temperatures—could compound the already perilous situation. "They managed to get everyone off the lift before dark," the Lyme Fire Department stated, as reported by MyChamplainValley.
