Government Camp, OR — Tragic news out of Oregon where emergency crews were called Thursday morning to reports that multiple people had fallen in steep and difficult terrain after a chairlift malfunction at Mt. Hood Skibowl East.
Shortly before 9:30 a.m. on April 30, 2026, a 911 caller reported a maintenance basket had fallen from the upper-bowl chairlift into rugged terrain. Two employees were inside the basket and suffered traumatic injuries. One was reported to be unconscious. A third person on scene began administering CPR.
Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office Deputies, Hoodland Fire, Clackamas Fire, American Medical Response, Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue volunteers, and U.S. Forest Service law enforcement responded. A command post was set up at the base of Ski Bowl East.
Medics reached the patients shortly after 10:00 a.m. One person was conscious and breathing. The second patient did not have a pulse. Despite lifesaving efforts, that person was pronounced dead at the scene. The Clackamas County Medical Examiner’s Office responded to the scene. The injured patient was transported by Life Flight to a local hospital for treatment.
This is being investigated as a workplace death, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has been notified. No additional information is available at this time. The name of the deceased will be released after family members have been notified.
We will be sure to update when more information becomes available. Our thoughts are with the victim’s family and friends.
