48 passengers evacuated from stranded NH mountain trams in frigid temperatures
Dozens of people were trapped for several hours on stalled tram cars on a snowy New Hampshire mountain Sunday, braving subzero temperatures while the cars dangled in mid-air before being rescued.
All 48 people, most of them skiers and snowboarders, were safely evacuated by rappelling down from two stuck tram cars on Cannon Mountain in Franconia, N.H., authorities said. No one was injured.
A mechanical issue caused the tramway’s braking system to become stuck at about 1:50 p.m., mountain officials said in an emailed statement. Two cars were stranded in mid-air, one about 50 feet from a terminal near the top of the mountain and the other about 50 feet from a terminal at its base.
Officials said 41 people were in the lower car, while 7 people were stuck in the car that was heading down. Blankets were sent up to help people stay warm while the evacuation process got underway.
It took about 25 minutes to evacuate everyone from the top car, which ended at about 3:45 p.m. People were escorted down the mountain by snowcats, officials said.
Meanwhile, the bottom car rescue effort lasted an hour, with the last person safely taken onto solid ground at 4:45 p.m., officials said.
Lift mechanics were still working on fixing the tramway Sunday night. The mountain expects to reopen the tram “as soon as possible,’’ officials said.
The temperature in Franconia on Sunday was -4 degrees, according to a WMUR- TV report. A WMUR reporter was among the 48 who were evacuated, the station said.
[fragment number=0]
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com