By Gagandeep Ghuman
Published: August 10, 2019
UPDATE: Squamish RCMP say their preliminary assessment of the gondola collapse suggests that a cable was cut.
We are currently assessing the damage but our preliminary assessment suggests that a cable was cut. We will continue our investigation and release updates to you as soon as possible.
says Cst. Ashley MacKay, Media Relations Officer for Squamish RCMP.
The RCMP are presently working with Technical Safety BC and Doppelmayr and efforts are currently being made to walk the gondola line so that it can be properly inspected.
At this time, the RCMP is asking for anyone with information or anyone that was in the area at the time to please come forward. That includes hikers, climbers and campers who were in the areas of the Sea to Sky Gondola as well as the Stawamus Chief Provincial Park between 4:00 am and 9:00 am this morning.
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Squamish RCMP isn’t ruling out possibility of criminal activity as it begins investigation into the collapse of the Sea to Sky Gondola cabins early morning. The RCMP is also urging people to avoid the area.
According to preliminary information, shortly after 8:45 am today, Squamish RCMP responded to the Sea to Sky Gondola after the haul rope had fallen, making the lift inoperable. An employee, working at the Summit, heard a loud bang and the discovery was made.
The gondola was not in operation at the time and there are no injuries as a result. Squamish RCMP are currently on scene and have taken conduct of the investigation.
“Investigation is in the preliminary stages and the cause is undetermined. Right now the police are looking at all possibilities which include those criminal in nature,” said Cst. Ashley MacKay of the Squamish RCMP.
The RCMP is requesting that people stay away from the area which includes all the trails that have accessibility to the area.
Police are asking anyone with information about the incident to contact the Squamish RCMP at 604-892-6100 or contact Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS, or go to www.solvecrime.ca.
Anthony Maw says
If the employee heard a bang that would suggest sudden total failure of something under high tension or pressure. The cable is made of multi stranded steel wire rope that is specifically designed not to suddenly completely break, unless there was some seriously incompetent work done when the cable segments were joined together to form the loop. Also it’s hard to understand how the cable can come off the support rollers (sheaves) since there are safety mechanisms specifically (intended) to prevent that from happening.