Man dies after chairlift fall due to mechanical failure at Montana ski resort
- A 37-year-old man fell from a chairlift at Red Lodge Mountain ski area due to mechanical problems.
- He was taken to the hospital where he died two days later from his injuries.
- The incident raises concerns about ski lift safety and mechanical inspections.
In Montana, a tragic incident occurred at Red Lodge Mountain ski area where a 37-year-old man named Jeffrey Zinne fell from a chairlift experiencing mechanical problems. The accident took place on Monday just before noon, and Zinne was riding alone in a three-person chair known as the Triple Chair when he fell from an unspecified height. Following the incident, he was transported to a Billings hospital but unfortunately passed away on Wednesday due to the injuries sustained in the fall. Local authorities report that the chairlift, which was built in 1983, had been operating within safety parameters. Despite being subjected to daily inspections, the lift was stopped immediately following the accident with over 100 people needing to be evacuated by ski patrols using ropes to lower them to safety. At the time of the incident, other lifts at the ski area were not in operation due to high winds, which recorded gusts of approximately 50 mph in the area. A spokesperson for Red Lodge Mountain stated that the mechanical issue would be investigated, and circumstances including the weather and Zinne's actions at the time of the fall were also being examined. The death of Jeffrey Zinne is particularly poignant as he was a family man, married with a 2-year-old son, and was remembered fondly by colleagues for his infectious laugh and mentorship. His passing highlights the risks associated with ski areas, despite the rarity of fatal lift accidents. Statistical data from the National Ski Areas Association indicates that between 1956 and 2024, only 35 deaths were recorded as a result of chairlift and aerial ropeway accidents, of which 16 were attributed to mechanical malfunctions. This exacerbates the seriousness of Jeffrey Zinne's tragic accident and emphasizes the need for thorough inspections and safety measures in ski areas to prevent such incidents from occurring again.