Helicopters save skiers trapped on Austrian chairlift

Vienna, Feb 12: Helicopters were scrambled today to rescue dozens of skiers, including children, after they were left dangling in a chairlift high above a lower Austria ski slope, emergency services and officials said.

Around 50 people were left stranded in the alpine ski resort of Mitterbach when the chairlift broke down bringing it to a sudden halt. In addition to police and fire crews, three helicopters were sent to help rescue the trapped skiers who were given harnesses and lowered to the ground, said Franz Resperger of the state fire brigade.

Only 10 people remained stuck in the air two hours after the lift first stopped, said the chairlift operator's spokeswoman, Annegret Zwickl. "Nobody was injured," she added.

AFP