Exploding Pipe Sends Skiers Jumping Off Ski Lift At North Carolina Resort

A couple of people wearing helmets and standing in the snow

Nope…

Alright look, I love snowboarding as much as the next guy. I’m trying to find a way to get out West a few times before the season ends.

But I will admit, there’s always a certain uneasiness about riding the chairlift (it’s why there’s nothing like a few ice cold lift sodas).

I mean, you have the just general height of it that’s enough to make you a little nervous, but then you have the horror scenarios that start playing through your mind as you climb higher and higher up the mountain.

What if it gets stuck? What if you somehow fall off? What if the cable snaps? What if a hydrant below explodes and sends a geyser of water and air pressure flying up under your lift and you go jumping off like a bucking bull?

Ok, I honestly have never considered that last one… but for some folks in North Carolina, that nightmare came true.

According to WSOC, several skiers were injured after a pipe burst at Beech Mountain Resort in Beech Mountain, North Carolina.

Two skiers underneath the blast had to jump from the lift, a 25-foot drop.

“I’m in quite a bit of pain, mainly on my left side of my body. I have bruises from head to toe, some big, some small, like all over my body.

We just grabbed each other and ducked our head and all I remember is the metal bar flying up and then me flying up.

I don’t remember anything and I remember opening my eyes belly first on the ground,”

Another group jumped as well, however they suffered more than bumps and bruises. One woman broke her arm:

“Everyone was in shock. You’re not going to jump from 25 feet, if you don’t think you have too.

I’m in some serious pain, even with the medicine. I can’t dress myself. I can’t shower. I can’t drive. I can’t lift anything, and that hand my fingers aren’t working right.”

Resort safety patrol did NOT ask the people to jump, however. In a statement from the resort management, staff worked to shut off the water as soon as possible and helped get the remaining skiers off the lift:

“After the incident, she was evaluated and stabilized by ski patrol before she left to seek further medical attention. As soon as we became aware of the problem, we took action as quickly as possible to shut off the water and assist the remaining skiers in disembarking at the top of the lift.

This was a very difficult situation for both our guests and our staff. We very much regret that the incident occurred and we again offer our apologies to the guests that were adversely affected.”

Go skiing they said… it’ll be fun they said…

I mean, I suppose it could be worse…

A beer bottle on a dock

STAY ENTERTAINED

A RIFF ON WHAT COUNTRY IS REALLY ABOUT

A beer bottle on a dock