Public Safety

January 15. 2013 11:42PM

Two hurt in Gunstock chairlift fall in Gilford

By DAN SEUFERT
Union Leader Correspondent

GILFORD – Two juveniles fell 6 to 10 feet from a chairlift at Gunstock Mountain Resort Tuesday night, suffering minor injuries, according to authorities.

Gunstock officials say the incident involved two children with their father in the same chairlift seat.

"It was nothing unusual, just kids being kids," said Bill Quigley, director of sales and marketing at Gunstock. "We’re not sure exactly what happened, what the father was doing. I’m sure it was very scary for the parents."

Gilford fire-rescue teams were called to the resort at 8:32 p.m. for a report of a person who had fallen from a chairlift with unknown injuries. Gilford Fire-Rescue was dispatched, and off-duty and call company personnel responded with the department’s second ambulance.

According to Gilford Fire Department Deputy Chief Richard Andrews, Gunstock Safety Services personnel found two juvenile patients who had fallen between 6 to 10 feet from a chair on the "Pistol" chair lift near the bottom of the mountain. Both patients were treated by Gunstock safety personnel and were prepared for transport to the ambulances.

A Laconia Fire Department ambulance was requested via mutual aid to the scene to assist with transporting the second patient. Both patients were transported to Lakes Region General Hospital in Laconia with non-life threatening injuries, Gilford authorities said.

"The prompt response by both Gunstock Safety Services and Gilford Fire-Rescue helped to reduce the exposure to the elements and prevent any further or worsening of injuries that may have been sustained by the patients," Andrews said in a press release.

Quigley said the ski lift is safe, and that Gunstock officials placed the children securely on the lift, where they should have been safely held in place by a protective bar. The ski lift has been inspected and certified as safe by state officials, he said.