Sugarloaf Chair -Breaking News-

[marcski]

Well - in fairness to NY residents... People are dying in the boro's - emergency vehicles can't make it through.... While Manhattan is clean as a whistle..

http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_local...s-accused-of-dropping-the-ball?bouchon=501,ny

 

[SteveInCT]

I am all for having the bar down. I just don't like the footrest.

DrJeff.. Good eye noticing the chairs have footrests! I didn't notice that. If the bars locked down, it could possibly soften the blow but they just pop right up. My guess is the footrest caused the bars to jump or the chairs to flip forward. Do we have any injury information to see if they might be consistent with the bars jumping up (arms / shoulders / facial)?

 

[thetrailboss]

Update: WMTW Maine is reporting that investigators have said that wind was "a primary factor" of the incident.

 

[drjeff]

Update: WMTW Maine is reporting that investigators have said that wind was "a primary factor" of the incident.

I can totally see this playing out in the media as "why were they running the lift in the 1st place in the winds?" When folks with little knowledge of how a lift operates can't imagine that very often it's not the wind velocity thats the problem as much as its the wind DIRECTION.

 

[deadheadskier]

I'll be curious to read how much Boyne has to open up the check book for on this one. The way America works, I wouldn't be surprised if people who didn't fall off the lift try to get in on the action for 'emotional damages'

 

[SteveInCT]

I'll be curious to read how much Boyne has to open up the check book for on this one. The way America works, I wouldn't be surprised if people who didn't fall off the lift try to get in on the action for 'emotional damages'

Yeah, no doubt. They should make it like workers comp where the claim could be investigated at any time. If someone on the lift claims emotional damage, ok, take your money, but if we see you on a lift again, you will be forced to give it back with penalty. Seems fair to me. Someone who was on their first day of skiing might take them up on it, but those of us who love the sport would never take a dime if it meant we couldn't go on a lift again! :lol: **Disclaimer** - I am not talking about legitimate, tangible claims like medical or damages to gear.

 

[Geoff]

I'll be curious to read how much Boyne has to open up the check book for on this one. The way America works, I wouldn't be surprised if people who didn't fall off the lift try to get in on the action for 'emotional damages'

I imagine Boyne is insured for this kind of thing. I'm wondering if the insurance companies will make the resorts start fiddling with operating limits before chairs go on wind hold.

 

[drjeff]

I'll be curious to read how much Boyne has to open up the check book for on this one. The way America works, I wouldn't be surprised if people who didn't fall off the lift try to get in on the action for 'emotional damages'

I can see it now uke: Your honor, I was on the Wiffletree Quad when a friend tweeted me that something had happened over on Spillway and I was so scared that i couldn't get off Wiffletree and haven't been able to ride a chairlift since :smash: :uzi: :smash:

Different context since it pertains to the cancelled because of the snow Sunday night football game between the Eagles and the Vikings, but if someone does pull a lawsuit move like above, then it's just another perfect example of as the Ed Rendell, the Gov of Pennsylvania, so well put it on NBC Nightly News last night, "the wussification of America"

 

[catskills]

If a NY City bus gets into an accident they have to keep the bus doors closed. Too many people want to get on the bus and claim injury.

I wonder if anyone skied down spilllway after the fact, fell down in the snow to claim they were on the chair lift.

 

[WJenness]

4:00PM Report: http://www.sugarloaf.com/Corporate/Media/PressReleases/Present/2010/12.29spillway_update.html

Timeline of incident; mountain personnel response
Sugarloaf experienced winds immediately following the major snowstorm which dropped 22” of snow on the resort this Monday. As a result, several lifts at the resort, including the Spillway East chairlift, were placed on wind hold at the start of operations Tuesday.

Winds diminished as the morning progressed, and Spillway East was evaluated by the ski patrol director of Sugarloaf Mountain and a chairlift mechanic.

That evaluation included towers, top and bottom terminals, and the completion of Sugarloaf’s standard safety checks. The chairlift was opened to the public at 9:55 a.m.

At 10:23 AM, the Lift Operations Department received a maintenance request for Tower 8 from a Sugarloaf ski patroller. Two chairlift mechanics were dispatched at that time. The chairlift cable was observed to be running toward the outside of the rubber liners of the sheave train (the wheels on which the cable is supported) on Tower 8.

At 10:30AM, one lift mechanic arrived at Tower 8 and another arrived at the bottom terminal of Spillway East. Working in tandem, the mechanic at the bottom terminal of Spillway East communicated with the mechanic on Tower 8 while he made an adjustment to the sheave train per Sugarloaf’s operating and maintenance procedures. The lift was slowly started to enable the cable to settle back into the correct location on the sheaves.

The realignment effort was unsuccessful. The mechanics repeated the procedure, again unsuccessfully. The mechanic on Tower 8 determined that it would be inappropriate to run the chair at normal operating speed and the lift should be closed.

Mechanics started the lift at a slow operating speed to begin off-loading the guests who were on the lift.

Shortly after starting the lift at reduced speed, the lift cable deroped from Tower 8, leaving the cable suspended between Tower 9 and Tower 7. Lacking the support of the sheave wheels on Tower 8, five chairs struck the snow below.

When the deropement occurred, the mechanic on Tower 8 immediately notified the mechanic at the bottom terminal of Spillway East about the deropement. The lift was immediately stopped and locked out from further movement.

Ski patrol was immediately notified of the deropement, and lift evacuation procedures began at 10:45 am. At 12:14pm all guests had been evacuated from the lift. Sugarloaf ski patrol estimates that 150 people were evacuated.

Members from ski patrol, grooming department, snowmaking department, resort ambassadors, lift maintenance personnel and the Carrabassett Valley Fire Department responded to the scene. In total, 54 people contributed to the evacuation of the lift.

-w

 

[wa-loaf]

http://www.sugarloaf.com/Corporate/Media/PressReleases/Present/2010/12.29spillway_update.html

Sounds as if they were in process of shutting down the lift when it happened.

 

[thetrailboss]

4:00PM Report: http://www.sugarloaf.com/Corporate/Media/PressReleases/Present/2010/12.29spillway_update.html




-w

Some new critical information that I highlight:

Carrabassett Valley, ME (Dec. 29, 2010) – Inspectors from the State of Maine Board of Elevators and Tramways, along with mountain operations personnel and representatives from Sugarloaf Mountain are investigating the deropement of the Spillway East chairlift, which took place at approximately 10:30am on Tuesday, December 28.

The investigation, which is still on-going, began on the afternoon of Tuesday, December 28. Today, the State of Maine Board of Elevators and Tramways believes that wind was a contributing factor in the lift deropement.

“Our two primary concerns right now are for the rapid recovery of those injured yesterday and the safety of all Sugarloaf guests,” said Sugarloaf spokesman Ethan Austin. “We’re incredibly grateful for the help offered by local and state agencies.”

A detailed report will be issued by the State of Maine Board of Elevators and Tramways once the investigation is complete.

Timeline of incident; mountain personnel response

Sugarloaf experienced winds immediately following the major snowstorm which dropped 22” of snow on the resort this Monday. As a result, several lifts at the resort, including the Spillway East chairlift, were placed on wind hold at the start of operations Tuesday.

Winds diminished as the morning progressed, and Spillway East was evaluated by the ski patrol director of Sugarloaf Mountain and a chairlift mechanic.

That evaluation included towers, top and bottom terminals, and the completion of Sugarloaf’s standard safety checks. The chairlift was opened to the public at 9:55 a.m.

At 10:23 AM, the Lift Operations Department received a maintenance request for Tower 8 from a Sugarloaf ski patroller. Two chairlift mechanics were dispatched at that time. The chairlift cable was observed to be running toward the outside of the rubber liners of the sheave train (the wheels on which the cable is supported) on Tower 8.

At 10:30AM, one lift mechanic arrived at Tower 8 and another arrived at the bottom terminal of Spillway East. Working in tandem, the mechanic at the bottom terminal of Spillway East communicated with the mechanic on Tower 8 while he made an adjustment to the sheave train per Sugarloaf’s operating and maintenance procedures. The lift was slowly started to enable the cable to settle back into the correct location on the sheaves.

The realignment effort was unsuccessful. The mechanics repeated the procedure, again unsuccessfully. The mechanic on Tower 8 determined that it would be inappropriate to run the chair at normal operating speed and the lift should be closed. Mechanics started the lift at a slow operating speed to begin off-loading the guests who were on the lift.

Shortly after starting the lift at reduced speed, the lift cable deroped from Tower 8, leaving the cable suspended between Tower 9 and Tower 7. Lacking the support of the sheave wheels on Tower 8, five chairs struck the snow below.

When the deropement occurred, the mechanic on Tower 8 immediately notified the mechanic at the bottom terminal of Spillway East about the deropement. The lift was immediately stopped and locked out from further movement.

Ski patrol was immediately notified of the deropement, and lift evacuation procedures began at 10:45 am. At 12:14pm all guests had been evacuated from the lift. Sugarloaf ski patrol estimates that 150 people were evacuated.

Members from ski patrol, grooming department, snowmaking department, resort ambassadors, lift maintenance personnel and the Carrabassett Valley Fire Department responded to the scene. In total, 54 people contributed to the evacuation of the lift.

Update on injuries:

Six people were treated for injuries and sent to Franklin Memorial Hospital in Farmington, Maine. A seventh person, who initially was cleared to leave the scene, was admitted later in the day. Today, Sugarloaf Mountain learned that an eighth guest, who was initially cleared to leave the scene, checked into Franklin Memorial Hospital.

Three patients were transported from Franklin Memorial Hospital to Maine Medical Center in Portland.

Due to patient and family confidentiality regulations, Sugarloaf cannot release information regarding the identity or nature of injuries to individuals. Further updates on the conditions of those injured can be obtained by contacting the hospitals.

Three guests who were unhurt requested to be transported to the base of the mountain after they were evacuated from the lift. One was taken via toboggan and two were taken inside a heated snow grooming tractor.

Status of the Spillway East Chairlift:
The State of Maine Elevator and Tramway Board has noted that there was some damage to lift components due to the deropement. All mechanical components remained in place after the incident and those components are currently being removed and will be analyzed further. The resort plans to replace the damaged parts with new equipment and go through safety testing and inspections prior to reopening the lift to the public.

Other lifts at Sugarloaf continue normal operations.

“Sugarloaf Mountain wishes the best for the people injured in the accident,” said Austin. “The resort remains committed to guest safety and its culture of safety instilled in every employee.”

 

[meff]

Here is a stupid question and not trying to really add gas to the situation - but why didn't they just go to an evacuation after realizing the lift couldn't be run at speed?

 

[meff]

Not to edit my last post, but I want to add it is very refreshing how open and honest Sugarloaf has been about this whole situation and that is very refreshing.

 

[from_the_NEK]

The realignment effort was unsuccessful. The mechanics repeated the procedure, again unsuccessfully. The mechanic on Tower 8 determined that it would be inappropriate to run the chair at normal operating speed and the lift should be closed. Mechanics started the lift at a slow operating speed to begin off-loading the guests who were on the lift.

Shortly after starting the lift at reduced speed, the lift cable deroped from Tower 8, leaving the cable suspended between Tower 9 and Tower 7. Lacking the support of the sheave wheels on Tower 8, five chairs struck the snow below.

Hindsight, maybe they should have evaced people off the lift before trying to restart even at the slower speed.
However, one would think the sheave guards would have prevented the full deropement.

 

[wa-loaf]

Here is a stupid question and not trying to really add gas to the situation - but why didn't they just go to an evacuation after realizing the lift couldn't be run at speed?

Hindsight, maybe they should have evaced people off the lift before trying to restart even at the slower speed.
However, one would think the sheave guards would have prevented the full deropement.

They probably didn't realize it was as bad as it was. Figured we run it slow and get everyone off. That's a lot easier, though riskier than a full evac.

 

[marcski]

I hope the loaf was up to date on their insurance premiums!

 

[from_the_NEK]

They probably didn't realize it was as bad as it was. Figured we run it slow and get everyone off. That's a lot easier, though riskier than a full evac.

True.
I'm willing to speculate that the mechanics figured that even if the haulrope came off the rollers at the slow speed, the sheave guards would do their job and keep the haulrope on the tower while they again stopped the lift and proceeded with an evac.
At least I guessing that's what the guards are for...

 

[Breeze]

I really did have to laugh today when I saw Rebecca London on ch 13 news at Noon. She's just 20, a sophomore at Colby, and a CV local.. She was in one of the downed chairs, and apparently she met the safety bar with her face but her goggles protected her from injury.

She didn't think the wind was much of a factor and she's been skiing Sugarloaf for "almost 20 years".

So, DrJeff, I totally agree with you "When folks with little knowledge of how a lift operates can't imagine that very often it's not the wind velocity thats the problem as much as its the wind DIRECTION.

Yes, this. And, if a fixed grip chair was swinging out of tolerance / or \ on entering the sheave train on that tower in combination with a lift stop or start, the result could be just as was experienced. Derailment of the haul rope. A detachable grip lift would have had a different sort of failure under similar circumstances, and lets not go there. That would be a de-ropement as chairs would detach from the haul rope to slide down the tether and impact chairs downhill. Possibly a much more serious and injurious result.

Many want to castigate SL and Boyne over the age of Spillway and I'm sure the nit comb will be all over this event. Let it happen. There are lifts of that age and engineering providing reliable service in many places. New isn't any guarantee of better if you don't have experience and service close to hand.

Breeze

Guilty as charged for not waiting for the full investigation. Props to SL and Boyne fpr disclosure.

 

[riverc0il]

I'll be curious to read how much Boyne has to open up the check book for on this one. The way America works, I wouldn't be surprised if people who didn't fall off the lift try to get in on the action for 'emotional damages'

I think that is why, or we rather, pay for insurance. So that when accidents happen, as long as they are not negligent, then insurance pays for the injuries. I would be more worried that Boyne is going to have to spend out the butt for attorneys to defend themselves. As per usual, they may open up the wallet just to not have to defend themselves in court. For shame.

Maybe we should assume the best intentions of those hurt? It certainly seems to me that this is a freak accident and no fault of the Loaf's. With the limited amount of wind, surely people would have been crying foul had the lift not been running.

Would it be safe to say that if this is definitely wind related, that Spillway will be more likely to be on wind hold than it might have previously? Seems like a safe precaution given the circumstances.