Yahoo Finance 21 Rescued After Being Trapped When New Mexico Tram Cars Freeze Overnight on New Year's Day
Roberto E. Rosales /The Albuquerque Journal via AP
21 people have been rescued from tram cars on the Sandia Peak Tramway in Albuquerque, New Mexico, after being stranded overnight, officials shared.
The passengers had been trapped in the trams since 2 a.m. local time Saturday due to inclement weather, the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office said, per ABC. After being stranded for hours, 20 people were rescued Saturday afternoon, the Bernalillo County Fire Department confirmed on Twitter.
The fire department worked with the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office, the New Mexico State Police and New Mexico Search and Rescue on a "coordinated effort" to free the passengers from the first of two cable cars, the fire department tweeted.
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The last remaining passenger — a reported employee — was eventually saved as well hours after the initial rescue.
After a coordinated effort between BCFD, BCSO, NM State Police, and NM Search & Rescue Teams, we are happy to report that the 20 people have been rescued from Gondola 2. Gondola 1 still has one employee and we are actively working are rescue plan.
— BernalilloCountyFire (@BerncoFire) January 1, 2022
"We are happy to report that the 20 people have been rescued from Gondola 2," the fire department wrote. "Gondola 1 still has one employee and we are actively working are rescue plan," they shared before the second rescue.
Sandia Peak Tramway General Manager Michael Donavan told KRQE that both employees from the tram and those who work at the Ten 3 restaurant — which is located at the top of Sandia Peak — were stranded in the cars.
The people in the trams were in "good condition" despite being stuck, local outlet KOAT reported. Donavan told the outlet that the passengers had both water and blankets on the tram cars.
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Officials confirmed to KOB4 that the tramway halted due to ice accumulation, with Sandia Peak HR Manager Brian Coon explaining that the "unusually fast" accumulation of ice on a cable created dangerous conditions.
Roberto E. Rosales /The Albuquerque Journal via AP
The Sandia Peak Tramway was shut down Saturday because of weather conditions, KRQUE reports.
Sandia Peak, a popular tourist destination, is located in Albuquerque. The tramway transports visitors 2.7 miles up the Sandia Mountains, according to its official website.
