Local police confirmed on 2/2 the death of a 22-year-old Australian tourist following an unusual accident in the mountains of Japan. The incident occurred on the morning of 30/1 at Tsugaike Mountain Resort in Hakuba Valley, a popular winter sports destination in central Nagano prefecture, Japan.

According to Tsugaike Gondola Lift, the system operator, the victim encountered the issue while preparing to exit her seat at the mountaintop station. An investigation determined that a loose buckle on her backpack became firmly caught on the gondola seat.

A ski slope at Tsugaike Mountain Resort, Hakuba Valley, Japan. Photo: SCMP

Nagano regional police reported that the tourist had tightened her backpack's chest strap, preventing the bag from separating from her body as she attempted to disembark. The gondola lift continued to move, pulling her along and leaving her suspended in mid-air immediately after leaving the station.

Upon discovering the incident, station staff promptly activated the emergency stop button, halting the system's operation. "After on-site rescue efforts, the victim was transported to the hospital in critical condition by ambulance", stated Tsuneo Kubo, President of Tsugaike Gondola Lift. Despite doctors' efforts to save her, the 22-year-old died at the hospital on 1/2.

The operating company is currently cooperating with investigators to clarify the incident and has committed to tightening safety regulations. "We will handle this incident with the utmost sincerity towards the deceased guest and her family", Kubo stated. The company views this as a serious lesson and will strive to operate the resort with maximum safety measures, ensuring guests can enjoy its services with peace of mind.

This tragic accident serves as a wake-up call regarding personal equipment safety when using gondola lifts at ski resorts. Experts advise tourists to remove their backpacks or thoroughly check for loose straps before boarding and disembarking from lifts to prevent similar unfortunate risks.

Mai Phuong (According to SCMP)