This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-21434338

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Five children injured after skilift derails at the Lecht Five children injured after skilift derails at the Lecht
(about 1 hour later)
Five children and an adult have been taken to hospital after a chairlift derailed at the Lecht Ski Centre in Aberdeenshire.Five children and an adult have been taken to hospital after a chairlift derailed at the Lecht Ski Centre in Aberdeenshire.
Emergency services were alerted to the incident, at Corgarff, at about 15:25.Emergency services were alerted to the incident, at Corgarff, at about 15:25.
Six people were taken to hospital with "non life-threatening" injuries and 36 others were rescued after being stranded on the chairlift, police said.Six people were taken to hospital with "non life-threatening" injuries and 36 others were rescued after being stranded on the chairlift, police said.
It is believed the accident happened when the tow rope on the chairlift came off.It is believed the accident happened when the tow rope on the chairlift came off.
A spokeswoman for the Lecht said: "All the casualties are in a stable condition, three were taken to hospital by helicopter and three by ambulance.A spokeswoman for the Lecht said: "All the casualties are in a stable condition, three were taken to hospital by helicopter and three by ambulance.
"Staff evacuated 36 people that were stuck on the other chairlifts and everyone was off the slope within an hour and 40 minutes."Staff evacuated 36 people that were stuck on the other chairlifts and everyone was off the slope within an hour and 40 minutes.
"We don't know the reason for the accident, however the Health and Safety Executive and the Lecht will be investigating the cause.""We don't know the reason for the accident, however the Health and Safety Executive and the Lecht will be investigating the cause."
Broken bonesBroken bones
An air ambulance attended the incident as well as a search and rescue helicopter from the MoD.An air ambulance attended the incident as well as a search and rescue helicopter from the MoD.
Squadron Leader Dave Webster said a helicopter from HMS Gannet, based at Prestwick in Ayrshire, was sent to the Lecht.Squadron Leader Dave Webster said a helicopter from HMS Gannet, based at Prestwick in Ayrshire, was sent to the Lecht.
He told BBC Scotland it was believed the tow rope had detached from the chairlift.He told BBC Scotland it was believed the tow rope had detached from the chairlift.
Sq Ldr Webster said he had been told six people had been hurt and the injuries were thought to be broken bones and back injuries.Sq Ldr Webster said he had been told six people had been hurt and the injuries were thought to be broken bones and back injuries.
'Very lucky'
Witness Hugh Craigie, from Banchory in Aberdeenshire, told the BBC: "We were next bar one to getting on the chair lift when it broke down. We were told that it had derailed and people were still stranded on the chairlift.Witness Hugh Craigie, from Banchory in Aberdeenshire, told the BBC: "We were next bar one to getting on the chair lift when it broke down. We were told that it had derailed and people were still stranded on the chairlift.
"I had been using the chairlift with my five-year-old twins on and off all day."I had been using the chairlift with my five-year-old twins on and off all day.
"We were very lucky not to have been stuck on the lift. Near the top of the lift the windchill made it feel very cold and I wouldn't have wanted to be sitting there for any length of time."We were very lucky not to have been stuck on the lift. Near the top of the lift the windchill made it feel very cold and I wouldn't have wanted to be sitting there for any length of time.
There were a large number of children on the ski slopes because it is still the half-term school holidays in many parts of Scotland.There were a large number of children on the ski slopes because it is still the half-term school holidays in many parts of Scotland.
Jennifer Johnston and her family, from Hatton of Fintray, were skiing in the area at the time of the chairlift incident.Jennifer Johnston and her family, from Hatton of Fintray, were skiing in the area at the time of the chairlift incident.
Her 15-year-old son Calum was on a lift parallel to the chairlift that broke down.Her 15-year-old son Calum was on a lift parallel to the chairlift that broke down.
He told the BBC: "I was on a tow lift and parallel to the chairlift. My lift stopped for some reason and I looked over at the chairlift and saw one caught in the pylon cable.He told the BBC: "I was on a tow lift and parallel to the chairlift. My lift stopped for some reason and I looked over at the chairlift and saw one caught in the pylon cable.
"Then another one came up behind it and also got caught, then there was a third chair. They were all bundled up together."Then another one came up behind it and also got caught, then there was a third chair. They were all bundled up together.
"I heard a crunch and soon after the cable released.""I heard a crunch and soon after the cable released."
Calum added: "People on my lift went over to help and a skidoo arrived quickly to take away the injured."Calum added: "People on my lift went over to help and a skidoo arrived quickly to take away the injured."
His mother Jennifer said: "We skied away and could see where the chair lift had been derailed. One of the cables had come off the pylon. We could see one chair was detached from the cable and had stopped progression up the hill, and other chairs had got tangled in the cable."His mother Jennifer said: "We skied away and could see where the chair lift had been derailed. One of the cables had come off the pylon. We could see one chair was detached from the cable and had stopped progression up the hill, and other chairs had got tangled in the cable."
The Lecht Ski Centre is on the A939 between Cockbridge and Tomintoul, on the eastern side of the Cairngorms.The Lecht Ski Centre is on the A939 between Cockbridge and Tomintoul, on the eastern side of the Cairngorms.
There are five main ski resorts in Scotland — Nevis Range, Glencoe, Glenshee, Cairngorms and The Lecht.There are five main ski resorts in Scotland — Nevis Range, Glencoe, Glenshee, Cairngorms and The Lecht.
Are you in the area? Did you witness anything? Please get in contact using the form below.Are you in the area? Did you witness anything? Please get in contact using the form below.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
Read the terms and conditionsRead the terms and conditions