A collision between a cable car and a construction crane left 16 people injured, three of them seriously, Wednesday morning in Alpe d'Huez, Isère. The accident occurred around 9:30 a.m. on the Pic Blanc cable car, while about fifty people were inside the cabin.
The gondola lift had just left the station at an altitude of 2 meters when it collided with a piece of construction equipment after traveling about 700 meters. The sudden stop threw the passengers forward. The prefecture reports 23 victims treated at the scene, including three in critical condition and thirteen with less serious injuries.
"The crane should have been lowered."
The crane was involved in the station's renovation work and was tasked with unloading a gondola. According to Fabrice Boutet, CEO of SATA Group, the company that operates the ski lifts, its boom should have been lowered before the gondola departed. An investigation will now be conducted to establish the precise circumstances of the accident and determine any potential liability.
Emergency services mobilized 33 firefighters from the Isère Fire and Rescue Service (SDIS) and seven mountain rescue specialists from the CRS Alpes, in coordination with the Huez town hall. A medical and psychological emergency unit was also activated to support the passengers and witnesses of the collision.
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