The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) is reporting that they believe someone hiked up to one of the lift poles, climbed up, and purposefully cut the 5.5cm (2.16″) diameter cable of the Sea-to-Sky Gondola in Squamish, BC near Whistler.
“We believe the cables were cut and this was a deliberate act of vandalism. At this time, it’s a crime scene.” – Inspector Kara Triance, Squamish RCMP.
The cutting of the cable resulted in 30 gondola cars smashing to the ground causing over $1 million in damages, according to the RCMP.
The gondola was not operating at the time of the cable cutting and thankfully no one was injured.
RCMP Squamish Press Release:
UPDATE: RCMP investigation continues at Sea to Sky Gondola
File # 2019-5024
This morning at approximately 7:00am, employees of the Sea to Sky Gondola noticed a down cable and saw several gondola cars on the ground. After initial assessment by the Sea to Sky Gondola the RCMP were called.
The RCMP have been on scene since just after 8:45 am and are working to determine the cause of the incident. Until such time as a cause has been definitely identified, Police are treating this as criminal in nature and have not ruled out that this was a deliberate act.
We recognize the potential of what could have been and are thankful that no one was injured. We are currently assessing the damage but our preliminary assessment suggests that a cable was cut. We will continue our investigation and release updates to you as soon as possible.
says Cst. Ashley MacKay, Media Relations Officer for Squamish RCMP.
The RCMP are presently working with Technical Safety BC and Doppelmayr and efforts are currently being made to walk the gondola line so that it can be properly inspected.
At this time, the RCMP is asking for anyone with information or anyone that was in the area at the time to please come forward. That includes hikers, climbers and campers who were in the areas of the Sea to Sky Gondola as well as the Stawamus Chief Provincial Park between 4:00 am and 9:00 am this morning.
