Cable cars crash to ground
by Rob Gibson
UPDATE: 10:15 a.m.
The operators of a popular tourist gondola near Squamish, B.C., say the cable of the ride has been severed for the second time.
Squamish RCMP say the damage to the Sea to Sky Gondola occurred at about 4 a.m. and no one was hurt.
Police say they're working with the West Vancouver Police Department and Integrated Police Dog Services in the investigation and are asking people to stay out of the area, including climbers and hikers.
Vandals were blamed for cutting the nearly six-centimetre thick cable in August 2019 while the ride was closed, sending about 30 gondolas smashing to the ground.
Total damage in that incident was estimated at up to $10-million and no arrests were made.
The business reopened earlier this year after a new cable was sent from Europe and all of the gondolas were replaced.
At the time, general manager Kirby Brown said a new state-of-the-art security system had also been installed to ensure the gondola was protected from any future criminal activity.
– The Canadian Press
ORIGINAL: 8:55 a.m.
The Sea to Sky Gondola in Squamish B.C. has had its cables cut for the second time.
CTV News Vancouver is reporting that the cables were deliberately cut just over a year ago, now the cables have been cut again, causing the cable cars to crash to the ground.
The web site for the attraction calls this a "second act of vandalism" which occurred at about 4 a.m., with the main cable being cut.
"No staff or guests were on the line. We are working with the RCMP and our efforts are focused on the well-being of our staff at this time," the notice says. "The gondola will be closed until further notice."
-with files from CTV News Vancouver