KEY POINTS:
One person is dead and at least three others injured following a chairlift accident at a Swiss alpine resort.
A German man died when the chairlift on the Kleine Scheidegg pass, in Grindelwald, near Interlarken, fell to the ground just before 1pm yesterday.
An official told AP the accident occurred after a cable apparently jumped off a guidewheel on one of the chairlift's support towers.
Swiss newspaper the Basler Zeitung reported that a German woman was also badly injured in the accident and a man and woman, both from Australia, escaped with moderate injuries.
A number of other passengers received minor injuries.
Those still on the chairlift following the accident were evacuated from the ground as the high winds made the use of helicopters too dangerous, AP reported.
The national weather centre said winds in the area had reached speeds of 90 km/h, but canton police in Bern told the Basler Zeitung it was speculation to suggest the high winds had caused the cable to dislodge.
Walter Steuri, CEO of the Jungfraubahnen company, which runs alpine rail and chairlift services in the area, said the chairlift was well maintained and regularly serviced.
Grindelwald is one of Switzerland's best-known tourist destinations. The 2061m Kleine Scheidegg pass is one of the best places from which to see the country's famous Eiger, Moench and Jungfrau peaks.
Tens of thousands of people visit the area each year.
- NZ HERALD STAFF
