It’s been two years since dozens of gondola cars went crashing down to the ground after a cable was cut on the Sea to Sky Gondola, in Squamish, B.C.
The incident shut down the popular tourist attraction for eight months.
B.C. RCMP gave an update on Wednesday regarding its ongoing investigations, sharing some new details about a suspect.
“These details include a thermal image of the suspect and a video depicting how a security guard narrowly escaped serious injury as the cables crashed to the ground on the side of the mountain,” said BC RCMP’s Sgt. Chris Manseau.
“The video shows just how close this security guard came to being injured, as he crossed near a tower and was within seconds of being struck by the cables that (were) carrying the gondola cabins.”
Police said the security guard was doing a routine patrol and was walking underneath the cables just seconds before the cable was cut.
“It was very close. In the video, we can see the security guard waving his flashlight and then being startled as the cars came crashing down,” said Manseau.
Police said they believe the one suspect is responsible for both incidents but are not ruling out the possibility that more than one suspect could have been involved.
BC RCMP’s major crime special projects unit is pursuing a charge of mischief endangering life for consideration by the BC Prosecution Service.
Investigators believe the suspect is extremely fit, knows the area very well and knew what specific tools were needed to cut the cables without causing harm to themselves.
“We know there are people out there with information that can assist in this investigation,” Manseau said.
“What’s important to remember is that someone nearly lost their life.”
In the press conference, the Sea To Sky Gondola company announced it has doubled its reward money from $250,000 to $500,000 for information leading to a conviction.
“It has been a rough few years for Squamish,” said Kirby Brown, Sea to Sky Gondola general manager.
“Our community has been faced with something never seen before in our industry. But we have renewed confidence in the RCMP investigation, and the work we’ve seen is impressive.”
He continued, “this is one way that we can add something more and hope the people that know this individual will come forward. We are doubling the reward in the hope that this person that has endangered the lives of our people will be brought in swiftly.”
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At this time, police said there is no concrete motive as to why the cables were cut.
When asked if the company is worried that it may happen again without a suspect in custody the company said while concerns certainly remain, it has made necessary security changes to the gondola.
“Having something happen like this twice is a wake-up call. We’ve invested an incredible amount of time and energy in a security apparatus that we believe is industry-leading,” said Brown.
The gondola’s cable was first cut in August 2019. An independent investigation found the cable was deliberately cut.
The second incident occurred on Sept. 14, 2020.
Security officers reported to RCMP that the cable had been cut and cars had crashed down into the side of the mountain. No one was injured in either incident.
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