from The NY Times , three people arrested for tampering with the brake system - https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/26/world/europe/cable-car-italy.html?action=click&module=In%20Other%20News&pgtype=Homepage
Posted by
Florida
338 posts
Heartbreaking. I saw the report on ABC news. I have visited Stresa more than any other place in Europe except Paris. The owners of the hotel where I stay are like family.
Posted by
OP
white plains, ny, usa
4140 posts
Sorry , I didn't notice Frank's update ( below ) Far more technical detail in The BBC article linked there .
Posted by
Florida
338 posts
I don’t see an update
Posted by
Florida
338 posts
I see it now under Italy
Posted by
Colorado Mountains, USA
7396 posts
Frank II originally posted with an AP article, then an update with a BBC story. Not as much personal perspectives from locals as the New York Times link steven provides here.
It’s stunning that the 3 arrested are the owner and management of the tram company. I wonder, though, about the workers who installed the clamp that overrode the safety brakes - were they just following orders?
The U.S. has had mass shootings by lone wackos. This Italian tragedy was deliberate negligence by a group.
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
11199 posts
a decision was made to deactivate the emergency brake after a maintenance company was unable to fix the problem.
That decision meant "the emergency brake could not be activated, and this is why when the cable snapped, the car precipitated backwards," he added. ---- https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/26/europe/italy-cable-car-accident-intl/index.html
Still leaves unanswered the 'why' the cable broke.
Posted by
OP
white plains, ny, usa
4140 posts
Joe , As I can best understand at this point , the arrangement of the mechanism on this ropeway was a suspension cable which provides a track for the cabin to ride on , and a separate tow cable which pulls the car . It seems the tow cable broke , and without the emergency braking system engaged , the vehicle flew backwards downgrade until it disengaged from the suspension cable , much as a train would derail . The tragedy of this notwithstanding , I find the technical issues very interesting . This was , evidently , negligent action of the worst kind . The emergency brake should have never been compromised , under any circumstances . I have been reading through this site to help me further understand how this technology operates - https://www.leitner-ropeways.com/en/application-areas/tourism/ Why the tow cable broke , remains an unanswered question for now .