Employee killed in chairlift accident at Park City Mountain resort

PARK CITY, Utah (KSL.com) — A tree fell on a Park City Mountain resort ski lift line Monday, killing a resort employee.

The tree fell about 10:45 a.m. on the line of the Short Cut chairlift, Sara Huey, senior manager of communications, said in a statement.

The employee was on duty and was riding the chairlift but “became unseated and fell from a height of at least 25 feet,” Huey said.

The ski patrol responded immediately to conduct life-saving efforts, but the employee did not survive, she said. The employee’s identity has not been released and Huey provided no other information about the employee.

“The Park City Mountain team — as well as the entire Vail Resorts team — extend our deepest sympathy and support to the family and friends of our team member,” Deirdra Walsh, Park City Mountain vice president and chief operating officer, said in the statement. “We are all deeply saddened by this tragic incident, and we will be providing support for our employees as we grieve this devastating loss.”

The ski patrol safely evacuated 10 other people who were also on the Short Cut chairlift.

Other chairlifts were closed Monday to support the emergency response, but they were expected to open Tuesday, Huey said. The closed lifts were Orange Bubble, Condor and 9990. The Short Cut chairlift will remain closed pending an investigation, Huey said.