Tsugaike Mountain Resort: Australian woman killed after getting caught in ski lift in Japan
Australian woman has died after getting caught in a ski lift at a resort in Japan.
An Australian woman has been killed in a freak accident at a popular ski resort west of Tokyo.
The woman was at the Tsugaike Mountain Resort in Otari, Nagano Prefecture, when she got caught in the ski lift at around 9am on Friday.
It is believed that the woman’s backpack had become entangled with a lift buckle as she attempted to get off the lift.
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The woman reportedly suffered a cardiac arrest, and was taken to hospital in a critical condition.
Her death was confirmed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
“The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is providing consular assistance to the family of an Australian who died in Japan,” a spokesperson said.
“We send our deepest condolences to the family at this difficult time. Owing to our privacy obligations we are unable to provide further comment.”
According to 7News, the resort’s operator, Tsugaike Gondola Lift Co., said a guest had been involved in an accident on a lift when a “buckle at the end of an unfastened waist belt attached to a backpack carried by a customer became caught in the lift carriage”.
“Since the chest strap was fastened, the backpack remained attached to the body,” the company said in a statement. “Our company will respond with sincerity and dedication to the bereaved family and the deceased guest.
“We will continue to fully co-operate with the police and relevant authorities in their investigation.”
