Maine skier: Wind wasn't high before lift collapse

[December 29, 2010]  CARRABASSETT VALLEY, Maine (AP) -- A woman who was aboard the Maine ski lift that dropped passengers onto the slope far below says she doesn't remember it being very windy.

Authorities are investigating whether the collapse at the Sugarloaf resort was wind-related or mechanical. Gusts as high as 40 mph were reported before Tuesday's accident.

But Rebecca London tells ABC's "Good Morning America" that "I don't remember it being outrageously high winds." She says "maybe it was a small factor" in the collapse.

She also says that she has "been on that chair lift in higher winds."

London told The Associated Press on Tuesday that she believed fresh snowfall broke her landing and prevented her from serious injury.

At least eight people were taken to hospitals. Three of them were children.

[Associated Press]

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