German skier trapped in Austrian chair lift for 6 hours after closing time

Austria: Skier trapped in chair lift for 6 hours

VIENNA — A 22-year-old German skier was hospitalized with hypothermia after being trapped for six hours in a chair lift that had been closed down for the night, police said Sunday.

The man got on the lift 20 minutes after closing time Saturday evening to descend to the Kaltenbach-Hochzillertal ski resort in the Austrian Alps, police said. At that time, the lift was still running for maintenance, but it was shut down shortly afterward.

Police said the tourist unsuccessfully tried to draw attention to himself in the darkness by burning a banknote. He was finally found around 11 p.m. by a snow cat driver after a friend had reported the German missing.