Thredbo lift where a skier was injured after a chair plummeted to the ground broke in the SAME place three years ago
- Thredbo chairlift became dislodged on Monday and man fell but was unharmed
- The same lift also broke in 2016 and a chair fell off - but nobody was sitting on it
- After that incident, the resort conducted X-Ray of the lift cables but re-opened
The Thredbo chairlift that broke this week suffered a similar malfunction only three years ago.
During high winds on Monday a chair on the Gunbarrel quad chairlift - the resort's main ski lift - became dislodged, sending a man plummeting metres below.
The same thing happened in 2016 when an empty chair came detached from the cable and fell during a blast of wind.
After that incident, the resort conducted a full X-Ray of the lift cables but re-opened the next day.
The Thredbo chairlift that broke this week suffered a similar malfunction in 2016. Pictured is the 2016 fall
A Thredbo spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia that the incident was caused by a 'freak gust of wind'. Pictured is the 2019 fall
Incredibly, the man who fell on Monday got up and walked away unharmed.
Regarding this week's incident, a Thredbo spokesperson said: 'Thredbo can confirm there was an isolated incident affecting a single chair on Gunbarrel Chairlift at approximately 3pm on Monday 22 July 2019 caused by a freak gust of wind.
'The guest involved in the incident sustained minor bruising only. No other guests or chairs were affected. Thredbo is committed to the safety of our guests and our people.'
Winds at Thredbo got up to more than 110km/h on Monday, and averaged 80km/h.
Horrified skiers watched on while the skier managed to stand to his feet after the fall.
Thredo Ski Resort confirmed the man suffered minor bruising but luckily managed to walk away relatively unharmed.
The broken chair was left in pieces after smashing on the snow beneath the belt.
The incident happened near the top of the terminal towards the end of the skier's chairlift ride to the top of the mountain.
The man suffered minor bruising but luckily managed to walk away relatively unharmed
The incident happened near the top of the terminal towards the end of the skier's chairlift ride to the top of the mountain
The ski village confirmed no other skiers or chairs were affected by the 'isolated incident'.
'Thredbo remains committed to the safety of our guests and our people' the spokesperson said.
The Gunbarrel chairlift was put on standby on Tuesday, while the mountain's 10 other lifts remain open to guests.
SafeWork New South Wales confirmed to Daily Mail Australia that they are investigating the incident.
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'Following notification of a chairlift incident at Thredbo ski fields, SafeWork inspectors, supported by independent engineers, are undertaking an assessment of the chairlift,' a statement read.
'The chairlift was subject to a non-disturbance order once passengers had safely disembarked.
SafeWork NSW said the non-disturbance order will remain in place until ongoing investigations are complete.
Thredbo has declined to comment on whether or not investigations are underway, and the circumstances surrounding the dislodged chair.
The Gunbarrel chairlift was put on standby on Tuesday, while the mountain's 10 other lifts remain open to guests
The Gunbarrel Express chairlift - which was constructed in 1988 - has a base elevation of 1365 metres, and runs for 1679 metres.
When the mountain is fully covered in snow, Thredbo has the longest ski runs in Australia.
Thredbo attracts around 700,000 winter visitors each year, while the lifts are capable of bringing 2800 people up the mountain every hour.
The popular ski village has 11 lifts - varying in elevation from 1430 metres to 2037 metres - and carries skiers up the slopes at five metres per second.
Thredbo attracts around 700,000 winter visitors every year, while the lifts are capable of bringing 2800 people up the mountain every hour
