20 New Year’s Eve revelers trapped for more than 12 hours on two stuck trams in New Mexico are rescued after repelling from disabled cable cars to a safe spot on mountain and plucked by helicopter
- Dramatic video from a livestream captured those trapped on the Sandia Peak Tramway, which connects to a popular restaurant at top of mountain
- The 20 people were stranded aboard the tram overnight after icy conditions caused the cable car to get stuck, officials said
- One trapped woman posted photos showing weary passengers in hoodies trying to keep warm with silver space blankets
Nearly two dozen people spent New Year’s Eve trapped aboard two stuck trams in the high mountains of New Mexico before a rescue helicopter was able to start plucking the freezing partygoers from their perch Saturday afternoon.
Dramatic video from a livestream captured those trapped on the Sandia Peak Tramway repelling from the disabled tram to the ground and then getting to a spot on the mountain where a helicopter could pick them up.
There were 20 people stranded aboard the tram overnight after icy conditions caused the cable car to get stuck, officials said.
Many of those were workers at TEN 3 restaurant, located at the top of the mountain, and described as America’s most breathtaking new dining experience on its website.
‘Been stuck in Tram since 9p … rescue happening soon,’ Colleen Elvidge posted on social media Saturday morning, along with photos showing weary passengers in hoodies trying to keep warm with silver space blankets.
People trapped on stuck tram bundle up with help of metallic blankets as they await rescue
The two trams (right) were left immobilized because of icy conditions, officials said
Helicopter races to pluck 20 people who were trapped aboard struck tram
Rescue helicopter delivers those trapped aboard tram to safety Saturday
Those trapped were in good condition despite having their festivities ruined, said Michael Donavan, general manager at Sandia Peak Tramway, located outside of Albuquerque.
‘Sandia Peak Tram is working closely with Search and Rescue and BCSO to ensure a safe evacuation for our staff as soon as weather permits,’ Sandia Peak Tramway posted on Instagram Saturday morning in response to a question about what was being done about the restaurant crew stuck on the tram all night.
The company said the Sandia Peak Tram and TEN 3 ‘are CLOSED for the day due to high winds.’
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