A 22-year-old Australian woman tragically died on Friday, January 30, at a ski resort in Japan after being involved in a fatal ski lift accident while snowboarding. The incident occurred at Tsugaike Mountain Resort, in the city of Otari. The victim, Brooke Day, originally from Queensland, Australia, was on holiday with her friends. According to local authorities, the accident occurred as she was descending the ski lift.
Her backpack strap got caught in the elevator mechanism, preventing her from detaching from the equipment. Resort staff immediately activated the emergency button to stop the system, but attempts to free her were made difficult as the backpack remained firmly attached to her body. During the critical minutes, the 22-year-old crawled several meters in the snow, unable to free herself. By the time emergency crews managed to pull her out, she had suffered cardiac arrest. Brooke Day was transported by ambulance to the hospital, but doctors were unable to save her. Her death was later confirmed by Japanese authorities.
The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed the 22-year-old's death and said the family was being supported by the Australian embassy in Japan. "We express our deepest condolences to the family at this difficult time," the statement said. Following the incident, Tsugaike Mountain Resort and the lift operator issued a public apology and announced the launch of an internal investigation to determine the cause of the accident and review safety protocols. The lift system, which has a capacity of up to 1,000 people per hour, was temporarily closed.
The incident has reignited the debate over safety in winter sports, particularly the risks associated with the use of backpacks and assistive devices while using ski lifts. Experts warn that such accessories can pose serious risks if not used according to safety rules. The serious accident adds to a series of similar incidents at ski resorts around the world, raising concerns about safety standards and the maintenance of cable car and ski lift infrastructure.
