Japan: Skiers trapped in 12-hour lift ordeal

Ninety skiers were left dangling in mid-air – some for nearly 12 hours – after a ski lift broke down in central Japan, police said today.

Rescuers climbed a snow-covered slope at the Ontake ski resort in Nagano prefecture (state), forced open the doors of 17 of the gondola cars and lowered the passengers by rope one at a time to the ground about 20 yards below, said police spokeswoman Akiko Fuseya.