MENA Newswire, NAGANO: An Australian woman has died after a chairlift accident at Tsugaike Kogen Mountain Resort in central Japan, prompting a police investigation and a safety review by the lift operator. The woman, identified by police as 22 year old Brooke Day, was injured while disembarking from a lift and later died in hospital. The incident occurred during the peak winter season, when the Nagano region attracts large numbers of international skiers and snowboarders.
The accident happened on the morning of January 30 near the unloading area of a chairlift, according to the resort operator and police. The operator said the woman’s backpack became snagged as the chair began its return journey after she got off, leaving her unable to separate from the equipment. Resort staff stopped the lift and initiated rescue measures, and emergency services transported her to hospital, where she was treated for critical injuries.
Japanese police said the woman suffered cardiac arrest after the incident and remained in serious condition before her death was confirmed on February 1. The resort operator said it had notified relevant authorities and began internal checks of equipment and operating procedures immediately after the accident. Police said they were examining how the backpack became caught and whether safety protocols were followed at the lift’s unloading point.
The lift operator provided a detailed account of the mechanism in a statement, saying an unfastened waist belt buckle on the backpack became pinched on the chair or carrier while a chest strap remained fastened. Because the chest strap stayed secured, the operator said, the backpack did not detach, and the woman was dragged after disembarking. The company said staff pressed an emergency stop and carried out first aid and rescue steps before she was taken away by ambulance.
Resort safety review
Following the death, the operator said it would keep the specific lift closed while investigations continue and until additional measures are implemented. The company said it would strengthen safety management, including clearer warnings about handling straps and gear around lifts and enhanced monitoring by staff. It also said it would cooperate fully with police and any relevant agencies reviewing the incident.
The resort is located in Otari in Nagano Prefecture, a mountainous area known for winter sports and resort towns in the Hakuba valley. Tsugaike is one of several major ski areas in the region, operating multiple lifts that move visitors between base areas and higher terrain. Local officials have not released further operational details, citing the ongoing investigation.
Consular assistance and repatriation
Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it was providing consular assistance to the woman’s family and offered condolences. The department did not provide further information, citing privacy considerations. The woman was from Sunshine Coast, according to public statements from those who knew her, and her family asked for privacy as they arranged to bring her home.
Police said inquiries were continuing and that they were gathering information from the resort and relevant personnel. The lift operator said it would share updates as appropriate and focus on preventing a recurrence, including steps aimed at reducing the risk posed by loose straps and gear during loading and unloading. Authorities have not announced any findings, and the resort has not provided additional medical details beyond confirming the death.