Trapped on Ski Lift in Cold Wave... The Terrifying Hours of 3-4 PM in Pyeongchang

Pyeongchang Alpensia Resort Ski Lift Stops for 3 Hours
Gangwon Fire Headquarters "Many Accidents Occur Between 3-4 PM When Day and Night Visitors Overlap"

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] The hours between 3 and 4 PM at the Pyeongchang Ski Resort in Gangwon Province are expected to be recorded as the 'hours of terror.' The fire authorities' warning that this is the time when accidents occur most frequently has become a reality. As the COVID-19 social distancing measures are lifted, crowds are flocking to ski resorts nationwide, raising the need for caution regarding safety accidents.

According to the Gangwon Provincial Fire Headquarters on the 19th, at 4:12 PM that day, the lift at Alpensia Resort Ski Area in Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon Province, stopped, leaving 54 users stranded in the cold wave. The accident lasted for more than three hours until 7:48 PM that day.

Considering the cold wave situation, the fire authorities focused on safety management during the rescue process by delivering cold-weather gear to the stranded passengers. It is known that they approached the passengers using ropes and other means, put on safety vests, and rescued them. All 54 people were rescued around 7:48 PM, and three complained of hypothermia and were taken to the hospital.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Although the accident was resolved through the fire authorities' response, being stranded on a ski lift during a cold wave can threaten the safety of users. With the ski season in full swing and a large number of users expected to flock, it is necessary to pay attention to the time periods requiring safety caution.

What is noteworthy is that this accident occurred during the time period for which the Gangwon Fire Headquarters had issued a warning. Moreover, it happened in Pyeongchang, where ski accidents in Gangwon Province occur most frequently.

It has been investigated that 34% of winter leisure sports accidents in Gangwon Province occurred in Pyeongchang, where many ski resorts are concentrated. Jeongseon, Hongcheon, and Wonju followed.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Gangwon Fire Headquarters stated, "In the past three years, a total of 485 accidents have occurred at ski resorts and sledding areas within Gangwon Province, and the time when accidents occur most frequently is between 3 and 4 PM, when daytime and nighttime visitors' movements overlap."

Meanwhile, the Gangwon Provincial Fire Headquarters mobilized 92 personnel throughout November to conduct rescue training for lift accidents at nine ski resorts in the province and also provided fire safety education to the safety management teams of those ski resorts.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.