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Chairlift Malfunction Triggers Lift Evacuation at Sunday River

February 21, 2011 - Newry—Nearly 160 skiers and riders were evacuated from a lift at Sunday River today after a mechanical malfunction on the South Ridge Express chairlift.

At 11:15 a.m., a built-in safety mechanism was triggered that stopped the high-speed detachable quad chairlift, according to Darcy Morse, director of communications at the resort. Mechanics quickly identified that a blown bearing in the system that moves the chairs through the bottom terminal had triggered the emergency stop.

Ski patrol started evacuating the lift at 11:30 a.m. and all guests were on the ground within an hour. There were no injuries as a result of this incident.

Lift mechanics were able to repair the blown bearing and South Ridge Express chairlift has been reopen to the public.

According to a press release from Morse, the chair lift receives routine daily inspections as well as weekly, monthly and yearly maintenance and testing. It is annually inspected by the State of Board of Elevator and Tramway Safety.

Emma Bouthillette, Portland Press Herald, February 2011


Lakes:
Regions: Sebago


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