Four seriously injured in chairlift and cable collision
The cable car masts in the accident region, as seen on Friday
Keystone / Urs Flueeler
Four people have been seriously injured after a chairlift plunged to the ground in central Switzerland. Two of the victims have life-threatening injuries.
This content was published on
1 minute
Keystone-SDA/Schwyz police/ilj
The accident happened on Thursday evening in the Alpine ski area of StoosExternal link-Fronalpstock just after 10pm. The chairlift was taking ten people home after a private business event, as had been planned.
Investigations have so far shown that the accident was “in connection with a stretched out winch cable for a piste vehicle. The four-person chairlift collided with the cable during its descent and as a resulted plunged ten metres”, an updated police statement said on Friday morning.External link
External Content
Nach dem Absturz eines Vierersessels am Fronalpstock sind zwei Personen lebensbedrohlich und zwei erheblich verletzt. Erste Erkenntnisse ergaben, dass der Sessel mit einem Windenseil eines Pistenfahrzeugs kollidiert.
“Just how this situation could have occurred is part of the ongoing investigation,” it added.
A 33-year-old woman and a 40-year-old man have life-threatening injuries. Two men aged 33 and 38 have serious injuries. They were taken to hospital in emergency helicopters.
Six people who were in the two following chairlifts were rescued by the emergency services and were uninjured.
A large rescue operation was carried out, which included four emergency helicopters.
The Swiss Transportation Safety Investigation Board (STSB) will be involved in investigating the cause and circumstances of the accident, as well as the local investigating magistrate.
The chairlift will remain out of operation until further notice.
More
More
World’s steepest funicular puts Stoos back on the tourist map
This content was published on
Straight up to the top of the mountain: the Stoos funicular railway gives you the steepest ascent of its kind in the world.
Switzerland condemned for deciding to deport gay Iranian
This content was published on
Switzerland violated the prohibition on inhuman treatment by considering that a gay Iranian could be returned to his country.
Gestational diabetes found to increase risk of adult-onset diabetes
This content was published on
A research team from the Lake Geneva region has identified persistent dysfunctions in glucose regulation in women with gestational diabetes. In the long term, this can increase the risk of adult-onset diabetes by up to ten times.
Swiss village must be evacuated by midday on Sunday
This content was published on
The village of Brienz-Brinzauls in eastern Switzerland, which is threatened by a rockfall, must be evacuated by 1pm on Sunday. All residents must leave the village.
This content was published on
A former judge of the Graubünden Administrative Court in eastern Switzerland has been found guilty of rape, sexual harassment and threatening a former trainee.
Costs and care time increase in Swiss retirement and nursing homes
This content was published on
In 2023 the costs of retirement and nursing homes increased by 5% compared to 2022 and those of assistance and care at home by 7%. Together, they amounted to CHF15 billion.
This content was published on
Almost half of the population in Switzerland shows clear to pronounced signs of smartphone addiction, according to a survey.
Swiss healthcare stakeholders want to save CHF300 million
This content was published on
The main players in the Swiss healthcare sector want to save around CHF300 million ($340 million) in healthcare costs a year from 2026.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Thawing permafrost freezes a Swiss cable car
This content was published on
The thawing of the permafrost has forced the closure of the Fiescheralp-Eggishorn aerial tramway in southern Switzerland.
World’s steepest funicular railway opens to public
This content was published on
The public can now enjoy the world’s steepest funicular line - which can climb a 110% gradient - at the Alpine resort of Stoos in central Switzerland.
V-Cableway: Grindelwald’s construction controversy
This content was published on
Could a large development project in Grindelwald mean the death of the last vestiges of the untouched landscape surrounding the Eiger North Face?
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.