Experts Call For Investigation To Provide Answers Over Incident

By Rob Dixon

Investigations are continuing after five children and an adult were injured when a chairlift derailed at the Lecht Ski Centre at Corgarff, Aberdeenshire yesterday afternoon (February 12th).

Reports have revealed that the six people fell around 20ft to the ground from the chairlift, with three being taken to hospital by helicopter and three others by ambulance. Around 30 other people had to be rescued after being stranded on the system.

Lecht has confirmed that it will be working with the Health and Safety Executive to determine the cause of the incident.

Irwin Mitchell specialises in helping victims injured in accidents in public places and has revealed its hopes that lessons can be learned from the derailment.

Elaine Russell, a Partner and serious injury expert at the firm’s Glasgow office, said: “It is a busy time of year for centres like Lecht, so this incident will have raised many concerns among parents, children and ski enthusiasts in general.

“The HSE and staff at the centre will need to work quickly and thoroughly to examine all aspects of the incident, as well as the safety measures currently in place related to the use of the chairlift system and how this could have been avoided.

“For the sake of all of those injured in this incident, the ultimate aim needs to be to develop a full picture of the circumstances of the derailment and how a similar incident of this kind can be avoided in the future.

“Such work should go some way towards improving safety, where possible, at winter sports and ski facilities.”