The terrifying moment a malfunctioning chairlift flings skiers through the air as it spins BACKWARDS out of control
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20:44 2018-03-16

This is the moment skiers are hurled from a malfunctioning ski lift, leaving two people seriously injured.
At least eight people in total were hurt in the accident at the resort in Gudauri, Georgia, located on the south-facing plateau of the Greater Caucasus Mountain Range.

A video of the accident posted online shows how the defect suddenly made the lift go into reverse.
The lift sped up to double the normal speed, throwing people off of their chairs in all directions as they reached the bottom of the mountain.

Those injured – including Swedes and Ukrainians – were immediately taken to hospital, agenda.ge reported.
Most of those hurt suffered only light injuries – apart from a pregnant woman from Sweden who suffered pain to her waist and another person who suffered head injuries.

The authorities say they have launched a criminal investigation and anyone found responsible will be punished.
Health Minister David Sergeenko said the seriously injured pair will be transported to the capital Tbilisi for ‘special rehabilitation and treatment’.

The exact reason for the accident has yet to be determined, although the finance ministry is reported to have contacted the ski-lift producer, the Austrian Doppelmayr Garaventa group, for them to offer an explanation.
It is speculated that a voltage fluctuation or brake issues may have been the cause.

Skiing in Georgia is becoming increasing popular, with a growing number of foreign tourists taking advantage of its relatively cheap prices.

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