Firefighters say 1 employee is trapped as 20 people are rescued from a New Mexico tramway

Twenty people have been rescued from a gondola stranded on a New Mexico tramway, with one employee trapped in another gondola. The Bernalillo District Fire Department said. Michael Donowan, general manager of the Santia Peak Tramway, said two tram cars were stranded around 2 a.m. Saturday because of snow and ice on the tramway. CBS Albuquerque, New Mexico, affiliate KQRE.

People were rescued from a tourist spot that offers 2-4 wide views of Albuquerque at a time, said Jaime Fuller of the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office. Sandia Peak has posted on Facebook that she “works closely” with search and recovery.

Donovan told KQRE that those trapped included tram staff and the top ten restaurant, Den3. Arrangements such as food and water and emergency heating blankets are provided for the tram cars, he said.

Some riders posted video and photos of the ice conditions on the tramway.

The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office broadcasts a live broadcast of the rescue operation Facebook page. BSCO Metro Air support, the Bernalillo County Fire Department and the New Mexico State Police Search and Rescue are assisting in the rescue.