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Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Passengers saved from dangling gondolas after tower snaps

Passengers trapped in gondolas as tower snaps

Story Highlights
Gondola tower at resort near Whistler, Canada, snaps in half

At one point there were about 30 gondola cars suspended, police say

No serious injuries were reported; situation under control, authorities say

CNN) -- Passengers have been rescued from a gondola dangling over a freezing creek after the tower snapped in half Tuesday at a ski resort near Whistler, British Columbia.

An official from the ski resort said a total of 53 passengers have been rescued. He said no more people are trapped.

At one point, there were about 30 gondola cars suspended in the air, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police said.

"At no time was anyone in serous risk and at no time were the cars separated from the line," Royal Canadian Mounted Police Sgt Steve Wright said.

He also stressed that no gondolas had fallen, contrary to some reports.

Canadian Television News footage showed rescuers walking down a fire truck ladder escorting passengers from one gondola over the frozen water. At least six people were trapped inside that cabin, which was the closest to the base of the mountain, CTV News reported.

Cynthia Jennings told CTV News she was in a car halfway down the mountain when the tower snapped.

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