There was a serious accident this morning at the Astún Ski Resort in Huescar, Aragón, in the Spanish Pyrenees.
The ski lift cable lost tension injuring at least 40 people, many of whom were treated at the emergency campaign hospital that has been set up. Only two of the 40 victims were seriously injured who were transferred to Hospital Miguel Servet and Hospital Clínico de Zaragoza.
The whole of the ski resort was evacuated and closed to the public. Provincial Delegate for the Central Government, Fernando Beltrán expressed his gratitude to neighbouring autonomous regions, such as Navarra, for collaboration in personnel and equipment.
Apparently, the accident took place after the weakest point in the cable set-up gave way: i.e., an axle for the large, cable wheels. This is also the part that supports most stress. This provoked a massive drop in cable tension and destabilised the ski chairs, some of which were left upside down.
According to the Guardia Civil, who are carrying out rescue work, the cable runs about 15 metres above the ground.
Several helicopters were involved in rescuing the skiers of which two were air ambulances belonging to Aragón. Navarra also provided an air-ambulance helicopter and the Guardia Civil provided a rescue helicopter.
As for ground assets, 24 ambulances with paramedics onboard were sent to the scene, five ICU-equipped ambulances and 14 conventional ambulances.
The nearest hospitals were also put on alert to expect victims, namely in Jaca, Huesca, Miguel Servet, Clínico Universitario, Royo Villanova and Barbastro.
Editorial comment: thanks to David G. for giving us the heads up this morning.
(News: Huesca, Aragon)
Keywords: Ski-Lift Accident, Astún Cable Failure, Injured, Rescue Helicopters
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