We have new details after a woman was trapped overnight on the gondola at Heavenly resort last week.
In a statement, Heavenly Chief Operating Officer Tom Fortune said there are protocols in place to make sure the lifts and gondola are unloaded each day.
“...I am responsible for all aspects of mountain operations, including the safety of our guests. We have rigorous protocols to ensure our gondola and chairlifts are fully unloaded each day. I have reviewed our investigation, and it is clear there was a breakdown in those protocols that day. I take full responsibility as well as ownership to ensure it is addressed so that it never happens again. I recognize the gravity of this guest’s experience and we all are grateful she was found safe and uninjured.”
Monica Laso was trapped on the gondola for 15 hours after she tried to ride the gondola down Friday and it stopped two minutes in.
She didn't have a cell phone, but after her friends reported her missing, South Lake Tahoe Fire and Rescue responded.
She spent the night rubbing her hands and feet together to fight off the cold. The overnight low temperature was 23 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.
