Snowboarder stuck overnight for 15 hours on ski gondola at Lake Tahoe resort; 'desperately' screamed for help until she lost her voice
Monica Laso was on a skiing trip with her friends at the Heavenly Ski Resort.
Snowboarder Trapped Overnight in Ski Gondola at Lake Tahoe Resort
Monica Laso, a snowboarder, found herself in a harrowing situation when she spent 15 hours trapped overnight in a ski gondola at the Heavenly Ski Resort in Lake Tahoe. Here's a detailed account of the incident:
- The Incident: Monica Laso was on a skiing trip with her friends at the Heavenly Ski Resort. She boarded the gondola around 5 p.m. on Thursday, January 26, 2024, at the end of a long day of snowboarding. Just two minutes into the ride, the gondola suddenly halted, leaving her stranded midair as the sun set over the horizon [3].
- Desperate Situation: Laso was unable to call for help and screamed desperately until she lost her voice. She spent the long hours in the freezing cold rubbing her hands and feet together for warmth inside the gondola [3].
- Rescue: Laso's friends reported her missing to the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office when they couldn't find her. However, crews did not realize she was there until the following morning when the gondola started working again and she got off at the bottom.
- Aftermath: After being rescued, she was assessed and treated by South Lake Tahoe Fire and Rescue before being released. This incident was described as the first time they've responded to a call like this in more than 20 years. Vail Resorts, which operates the Heavenly, stated that they are investigating the situation with the utmost seriousness.
This incident highlights the importance of safety measures and the need for prompt response in such emergency situations.