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CARRABASSETT VALLEY, Maine (AP) — A Maine state report confirms that mechanical failure caused a chairlift accident that injured seven people at the Sugarloaf ski area last winter.
The accident happened in March when the lift was carrying more than 200 skiers, causing many to jump off. It was the second in five years to cause injuries at Sugarloaf.
The Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation's report says the failure of a coupling that connects two gearboxes resulted in the lift reversing direction. Then an anti-roll-back device failed to engage as intended. The office provided the report to The Associated Press on Wednesday.
The state's report confirms findings of a team of engineers that released a preliminary review and investigation in the wake of the accident.
Sugarloaf is spending $1.5 million to make improvements after the malfunction.
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