Riders Describe Ski Lift Accident
Witnesses Describe Frightening Ski Lift Accident
MERRIMAC, Wis. (AP) -- Skiers at a southcentral Wisconsin ski resort describe the frightening free fall that occurred when a chair lift broke and injured at least 14 people.
The accident happened Thursday night at the Devil's Head ski resort near Merrimac. WKOW-TV reports the chair lift was full of people when it malfunctioned and sent riders backward. Lift operators could nothing to stop it as the chairs smashed into a back wall.
David Brady says he could hear the chairs crashing with the sound of metal on metal. Brady says he knew he had to jump from the lift. He wasn't alone. Others jumped as well, some falling more than 20 feet to the ground.
Authorities say at least three of the people taken to area hospitals had serious injuries.
