The haul rope on the Sea to Sky Gondola outside Vancouver was deliberately cut, according to a Technical Safety BC released Wednesday.

The technical investigation report says there were no defects with the haul rope or its design that contributed to the collapse of approximately 30 gondola cabins on Aug. 10 in Squamish.

鈥淥ur technical failure analysis has concluded that the haul rope wires were substantially cut while under tension,鈥� said Jeff Coleman, director of risk and safety knowledge.

鈥淥nce a sufficient number of wire strands had been cut, the remaining rope segment yielded under the tension from the non-operating gondola.鈥�

As a result, the gondola cabins fell to the ground and many were damaged beyond repair.

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Coleman said cutting the haul rope was 鈥渁n extremely dangerous act.鈥�

鈥淭he resulting tension overload that caused many of the individual steel wires and the rope to snap while being cut could have resulted in serious injury or even death to those involved,鈥� he said.

鈥淎nyone close to the gondola when this occurred could have been seriously hurt or killed.鈥�

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President and CEO Catherine Roome said the independent, self-funded organization is now working closely with RCMP to support their ongoing criminal investigation.

Anyone with information regarding this crime is asked to call the RCMP鈥檚 dedicated tip line at 604-892-6122.

To provide a tip anonymously, call BC Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

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karissa.gall@blackpress.ca
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