22-Year-Old Snowboarder Dies After Backpack Catches on Ski Lift in Tragic Japan Accident

A 22-year-old Australian snowboarder has died following a rare and tragic ski lift accident at a resort in Japan.

Brooke Day was riding a ski lift at Tsugaike Mountain Resort in central Japan around 9 a.m. local time on Friday, January 30, when her backpack became entangled in the lift mechanism, according to reports from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and 7News Australia.

Officials say Day was unexpectedly lifted into the air after part of her backpack caught on the chairlift. She suffered a cardiac arrest during the incident and was rushed to a hospital, where she later died.

Tsugaike Gondola Lift Co. confirmed that the accident was caused by a buckle from an unfastened waist belt attached to Day’s backpack. The company explained that while the waist belt was loose, the chest strap was secured, causing the backpack — and Day — to remain attached as the lift continued moving.

Resort staff quickly activated the emergency stop and initiated rescue procedures. Day was transported by ambulance, but despite efforts to save her, she did not survive.

The young woman was reportedly vacationing in Japan with friends at the time of the accident.

Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade issued a statement offering condolences to Day’s family. “We send our deepest sympathies to the family during this incredibly difficult time,” a spokesperson said, according to CNN.

Resort CEO Tsuneo Kubo told ABC that the company is fully cooperating with local authorities as they investigate the incident.

“We will continue to work closely with police and relevant agencies while also reviewing our safety protocols to prevent anything like this from happening again,” Kubo said in a statement.

He added that the ski lift will remain closed until the investigation is complete and additional safety measures have been implemented.