An Australian woman met a tragic end in an unusual incident at a ski resort in central Japan. Brooke Day, aged 22, was using a ski lift at Tsugaike Mountain Resort in Otari, Nagano Prefecture, on Friday morning when her backpack got entangled in the lift mechanism, leaving her suspended in mid-air. Even though a staff member quickly stopped the lift by pressing the emergency button, Ms. Day unfortunately suffered a cardiac arrest and was declared dead upon reaching the hospital.
The ski lift operator, Tsugaike Gondola Lift Co, explained that a buckle from an unfastened waist belt attached to a customer’s backpack got caught in the lift carriage. The company clarified that due to the chest strap being fastened, the backpack remained connected to the person. After the lift stopped and rescue efforts were initiated promptly, the customer was transported to the hospital by ambulance.
Ms. Day, originally from the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, was employed as a receptionist at a physio clinic in Hakuba, a village located approximately 8 km south of the ski resort. She was known for her dedication to connecting with patients and ensuring they felt valued and welcomed.
Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed the death of one of its citizens in Japan and assured that consular assistance was being provided to the family. A department spokesperson expressed condolences to the family during this challenging period, mentioning privacy obligations prevented further comments.
Following the tragic incident, Tsugaike Mountain Resort and Tsugaike Gondola Lift Co issued a joint apology and announced an upcoming investigation into the matter.
