An Australian snowboarder has died after a ski lift accident at a Japanese resort.
Japanese media have identified Ella Day Brooke, 22, as the snowboarder who died after being suspended from a ski lift at a resort in Japan’s Nagano prefecture on Friday morning (local time). It occurred after Brooke was caught on the lift while attempting to disembark.
The ski lift buckle became tangled with Brooke’s backpack when she was attempting to disembark, according to Tsugaike Mountain Resort chief executive Tsuneo Kubo, causing the snowboarder to be dragged along the lift as it turned in the opposite direction.
The lift was stopped by an attendant, who pressed an emergency button to render first aid to Brooke. She was rushed to hospital after suffering what appeared to be a cardiac arrest, according to Kubo, and was confirmed dead on Sunday.
“We would like to express our deepest condolences to the bereaved family and pray for the repose of their souls,” Kubo said. “We will do our utmost to respond to the needs of our deceased customers and their families.”
Brooke’s death is being investigated by local police, while the resort has pledged to review safety measures to prevent another tragedy. The investigation is expected to review security camera footage of the incident.
The incident occurred on the “Tsuga No. 2 Pair Lift” at the Tsugaike Mountain Resort, a fixed-grip chairlift travelling at approximately 2.5 metres per second, which can carry about 1000 people per hour.
The lift was closed on Saturday, and will remain shut until attendants can assure its safety.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has been contacted for comment.
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