23 Skiers Injured As Part Of Chairlift Tower Falls In Sierra Nevada, Spain (05-Mar-09)

Sierra Nevada, Spain, March 5, 2009 - A structural failure on tower four of Spain's Sierra Nevada's

A structural failure on tower four of Spain’s Sierra Nevada’s Emille Allais chairlift caused a major incident on Monday Morning (March 2nd).

Six chairs dropped approximately six metres, hitting the ground and injuring 23 people after the top section of the tower on one side – the section over which the cable runs – gave way.

15 guests were treated at the Hospital San Cecilio and the Hospital de Traumatología in Granada. Eight injured guests were treated for cuts and bruises at a medical centre in the ski resort and walked out on their own later that evening.

Most of the guests of the lift located in the Borreguiles area for beginners were ski instructors with their clients. Sierra Nevada Ski Patrol, Guardia Civil, Local Police and the Emergency Department immediately implemented an emergency lift evacuation procedure.

At least another 35 people had to be rescued from chairs on the lift.  Hospital reports that nine injured guests continue to be treated with one 37 years old woman is in the intensive Care Unit (ICU) with abdominal trauma.

The Emille Allais fixed-grip chairlift (the quad-seater chairs are permanently attached to the haul rope) is a Doppelmayr built lift, and was installed in late 80’s.

A world-leader in lift design and manufacturing, Doppelmayr lifts are in operation throughout the world and their safety record is excellent.

The regional government of Andalucia, Guardia Civil, Doppelmayr andCetursa, the company that manages the ski resort, has opened an investigation into the incident.