Nine killed after helicopter drops cargo on cable car
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The accident was in Sölden, 40km (25 miles) south-west of Innsbruck, said Edelbert Kohler, the head of criminal police in Innsbruck.
The helicopter was hauling goods to the top of the cable car lift for construction work when the 750kg (1,500lb) block of concrete fell, Mr Kohler said.
There have been conflicting reports over the number of people injured. Jakob Falkner, an executive of the cable car company, said four were hurt, and three in the cabins escaped injury. But Red Cross officials said seven were injured - five seriously.
Mr Falkner said some of the victims appeared to be foreigners, and children were among the injured.
Twelve rescue helicopters hovered over the accident, while emergency workers rushed to the scene on foot. More than 100 passengers were rescued from stranded cable cars.
The glacier skiing area around Sölden - some parts of which are as high as 3,000m (9,850ft) - is popular with summer tourists who flock to its perennially snow-covered alpine peaks.
The accident evoked memories of a ski lift tragedy in Italy, where a low-flying US Marine jet sliced a ski gondola's cables in 1998, killing 20 people.
Almost five years ago, 155 people were killed when a funicular ski train caught fire in a tunnel near Kaprun, 60 miles south of Salzburg, in Austria's worst peacetime disaster.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments