BREAKING NEWS: 1 injured, 1 killed in ‘chairlift malfunction’ at Mt. Hood Ski Bowl
(Update: 1 person confirmed killed, adding pictures from the scene).
GOVERNMENT CAMP, Ore. (KTVZ) — One employee died, and another was injured Thursday morning, April 30, 2026, after a maintenance basket fell from an upper-bowl chairlift at Mt. Hood Ski Bowl. The incident, which occurred shortly before 9:30 a.m., is being investigated as a workplace death.
The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office responded after a 911 caller reported the basket falling into rugged terrain with two employees inside. First responders, including multiple agencies, noted that specialized equipment was necessary for the rescue due to the remote and difficult location.
A command post was established at the base of Ski Bowl East. Medics reached the patients shortly after 10 a.m. One person was found conscious and breathing. The second patient did not have a pulse and was pronounced dead at the scene despite life-saving efforts.
The injured patient was transported by Life Flight to OHSU, a local hospital, for treatment. The Clackamas County Medical Examiner's Office also responded to the scene. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has been notified of the accident.
The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office confirmed the incident is being investigated as a workplace death, and Ski Bowl later confirmed to KGW that two of its employees were involved.
No additional information is available at this time. The name of the deceased will be released after family members have been notified.
Emergency crews from the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office, Hoodland Fire, Clackamas Fire, American Medical Response, Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue volunteers, and U.S. Forest Service law enforcement responded to the scene.
EARLIER REPORTING
OREGON, USA — Multiple people were hurt after a chairlift they were on at Mt. Hood Ski Bowl East malfunctioned and fell out from beneath them.
First responders were called to the scene around 9:35 a.m. for reports that multiple people had fallen into steep and difficult terrain. Crews had to bring in specialized equipment to rescue them due to the remote location, according to reports from the Hoodland Fire District.
Officials haven't confirmed how many people were hurt or whether or not there were any fatalities.
Details about the incident are extremely limited at this time.
