A tragic accident has claimed the life of a young Australian snowboarder during a winter trip to Japan, after her backpack became caught on a ski lift and left her suspended in midair, authorities said.
According to Nagano Omachi Police, the 22-year-old woman was visiting the Tsugaike Mountain Resort in Hakuba Valley, a world-famous ski destination, when the fatal incident occurred on Friday.
Police said the tourist went into cardiac arrest following the accident and was rushed to a nearby hospital, where she later died from her injuries.
In a statement, Tsugaike Gondola Lift Co. explained that the waist buckle of the woman’s backpack became entangled in the lift chair as she attempted to disembark. Because the backpack’s chest strap was fastened, it did not detach from her body, causing her to be dragged after exiting the lift.
Company CEO and director Kubo Tsuneo said a staff member immediately pressed the emergency stop button, halting lift operations. Emergency responders were called to the scene, and the woman was transported to the hospital by ambulance.
The lift operator expressed its deepest condolences to the woman’s family and said it would take steps to strengthen safety measures going forward.
Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed that an Australian citizen had died in Japan and said consular support is being provided to the family.
“We send our deepest condolences to the family at this difficult time,” a spokesperson said.
Japan is widely regarded as one of Asia’s top snow sports destinations, drawing thousands of international skiers and snowboarders each winter for its renowned powder conditions — a season that has now been overshadowed by this devastating loss.
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