Uncomfortable chairlift ride for skiers in North Carolina, USA. It can happen that the chairlift stops for a moment. But that the armchair gets stuck over a burst water pipeline in freezing weather, of all things, that almost takes a bit of luck.
Temperatures were below freezing and the slopes at Beech Mountain Resort were being artificially snowed when someone drove down the slope and apparently fell over a water hydrant, according to local media reports. The thing exploded with a geyser effect, directly below passengers on the chairlift.
A minor miracle that they were not completely thrown out of the chairlift under the enormous high pressure of the vertical ice water fountain. There was no way out, the passengers are immediately soaked.
Several soaked
It is unclear how long they had to remain in this position. According to a video of a skier, the high-pressure ice water shower lasted at least 30 seconds.
They weren’t the only ones! A video shows how the chairlift runs a few meters over and over again and then stops again – and others get stuck right above the fountain! Calls can also be heard on the recordings. A voice wants to dial the emergency number, someone yells for help.
Luck in misfortune for the soaked in lofty heights above the burst water pipe: The operators of the ski area assure that all ski guests have now been released from their predicament and are doing well. Operations are back to normal. (kes)