An Australian woman has died after becoming trapped in a ski lift at a resort in central Japan, officials have said. The 22-year-old woman had been using a chairlift at Tsugaike Mountain Resort in Otari, Nagano prefecture, when part of her backpack became caught in the lift mechanism, leaving her suspended in midair.
The woman then suffered a heart attack and was taken to hospital where she was pronounced dead, officials said. The Tsugaike Mountain Resort and Tsugaike Gondola Lift Co issued a joint apology and said an investigation had been launched into the incident, which occurred around 09:00 local time (0:00 GMT) on Friday.
The resort's chief executive Tsuneo Kubo expressed his 'deepest condolences to the bereaved family' and said safety measures would be strengthened. He explained that an unfastened buckle on the woman's backpack had become hooked to the chair while her bag's chest strap remained fastened, causing her to be dragged along with it after attempting to disembark.
First aid was administered after the lift was stopped by an attendant pressing the emergency button, and the woman was transported to hospital by ambulance. The accident occurred at the top of the two-person Tsuga No.2 Pair Lift, where the woman had been riding with another person, according to police.
The lift operator stated it was cooperating with police and other authorities during the investigation and was reviewing its safety procedures. 'We take this situation very seriously and will strive to operate the ski resort in a safe manner,' Kubo said.
Police are questioning staff and inspecting lift equipment as part of the inquiry. Meanwhile, Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has confirmed the death of one of its citizens and is providing consular assistance to the family, offering its deepest condolences during this difficult time.
The woman then suffered a heart attack and was taken to hospital where she was pronounced dead, officials said. The Tsugaike Mountain Resort and Tsugaike Gondola Lift Co issued a joint apology and said an investigation had been launched into the incident, which occurred around 09:00 local time (0:00 GMT) on Friday.
The resort's chief executive Tsuneo Kubo expressed his 'deepest condolences to the bereaved family' and said safety measures would be strengthened. He explained that an unfastened buckle on the woman's backpack had become hooked to the chair while her bag's chest strap remained fastened, causing her to be dragged along with it after attempting to disembark.
First aid was administered after the lift was stopped by an attendant pressing the emergency button, and the woman was transported to hospital by ambulance. The accident occurred at the top of the two-person Tsuga No.2 Pair Lift, where the woman had been riding with another person, according to police.
The lift operator stated it was cooperating with police and other authorities during the investigation and was reviewing its safety procedures. 'We take this situation very seriously and will strive to operate the ski resort in a safe manner,' Kubo said.
Police are questioning staff and inspecting lift equipment as part of the inquiry. Meanwhile, Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has confirmed the death of one of its citizens and is providing consular assistance to the family, offering its deepest condolences during this difficult time.
