BREAKING: Ski lift accident at popular resort leaves 20 trapped with 'multiple injuries'

[RoterTeufel]

BREAKING: Ski lift accident at popular resort leaves 20 trapped with 'multiple injuries'

AT LEAST five people have been injured in horror ski lift accident at a popular US resort, leaving 20 people trapped in mid-air.

Emergency crew have launched an operation to rescue people stuck on the lift on Tussey Mountain, in Boalsburg, Pennsylvania, US.

At least five people are injured, with some skiiers still stranded on the lift, State College Police has confirmed.

Dramatic pictures show skiiers suspended in mid-air on the lift, which stopped after experiencing "difficulties".

In one photo, five lift chairs appear to be squashed together, pinning helpless skiiers against each other in temperatures of just 1C.

Six ambulances, police officers and multiple fire engines are reportedly on the scene.

Rescue crews are using rope to evacuate those still trapped on the lift.

Several chairs crashed into each other when the lift malfunctioned, according to witnesses.

In an initial tweet, the Tussey Mountain resort wrote: "Having difficulties with the chairlift... we are working on it now. May not be able to run it today. Stay tuned... #sorry."

But in a later tweet, the resort added: "There has not been a collapse.

"Our ski patrol, EMS and staff are working on evacuating anyone on the lift, off. But all chairs are still on the lift, towers still standing.

"Still waiting on official word."