A 12-month old baby girl survived a 100-foot fall from a cable car at Baerlaui Mountain, Switzerland yesterday. Unfortunately her mother, 31 and father, 38 did not survive in the fall. For reasons still unknown, they were riding on a cargo-only cable car down the mountain after going on a hike.
At some point on the decent from 2,700m (8,558 ft) Baerlaui Mountain the cargo-only cable car the family were riding began to pitch and sway throwing the three pasengers from the cable car to the rocks and bushes 100-feet below.
Rescuers reached the area of the accident within 30 minutes and discovered the parents deceased. Rescuers then heard ‘murmurings’ in nearby bushed and discovered the 12 month old baby girl in a baby backpack carrier apparatus. The baby received serious injuries in the fall but is expected to survive.
“The rucksack cushioned the fall. Otherwise she would be dead too.” – Rescue spokesman
A major investigation is underway to discover why the couple and baby were riding on the cargo cable car that is not meant for human passengers.
“The cable-car is not for passenger use. It is a freight vehicle that was being used on the day of the accident by an employee of the area. We are investigating how they came to be aboard and why.” – Florian Grossmann, police spokesman
The mountain employee that allowed the family to ride the cargo cable car has been arrested by the police after making ‘contradictory statements.’
“The bodies of the parents were flown to a local morgue, the child to a hospital where nurses and doctors have nicknamed her Eidelweiss – after the hardy mountain flower which only survives in the harshest of regions.” – dailymail.com.uk
We sincerely hope that Eidelweiss fully recovers.
“The child is out of danger and we are contacting relatives of the dead abroad. We have no cause as yet as to why the cable car halted and then suddenly tipped over. But it was not designed for passenger use, that much is certain.” – Florian Grossman, police spokesman
Wow, incredible survival case! Those cargo cable cars are super sketch. I’ve ridden one before, against my will, while strapped down in a patroller’s tobagon and without any ropes securing me or the sled in case of sliding! Definitely the sketchiest ride of my life.
This will be a very unique girl. Would be very interesting to hear how she’s doing and who she is in 20 years. I wish her the best.
This is heavy, not sure how to feel. Special baby.