Mountain biker Nick Newman only wanted to catch the last-ride-to-the-top
at Deer Valley Resort. But the 20-year-old instead found himself alone on chairlift,
more than 30 feet from the ground and faced with the prospect of sitting there all
night, reports that useful source of news, Bicycle Retailer & Industry News.



Deer Valley is one of the most bike-accessible resorts in the US and was host to
the ’97 product launch for K2 bikes. Thankfully, when us journos were getting shipped
around there, the lift operator was slightly more awake.



Nick was left hanging in his chairlift seat, for two and a half hours, before he
decided enough was enough and he’d have a go at getting down himself. Fearing hypothermia
as it started to get chilly, he made a rope from tying his shoelaces (?) shirt and
other items of clothing before attempting to lower himself to the ground.



No great surprise, the rope snapped and Nick broke his femur and pelvis upon impact.
By this time, Newmans father had noticed the non-arrival of his son, but it took
until 2am for them to find him – lying face down on a service road, 600ft from the
lift.



Thankfully, Newman has now fully recovered and is expected to make a full recovery.
Deer Valley are paying his medical bills. Happily, they’ve also made some changes
to their lift operating procedure.



"We put a sign on the last lift now," Reardon said.



The lift operator, it’s noted, has resigned…