The operators of the Sea-to-Sky Gondola near Squamish, over on the mainland, say the cable of the ride has been severed for the second time.
It is deja vu for the popular tourist attraction as the apparent act of vandalism marks the second time the gondola cables have been cut in just over a year.
Squamish RCMP say the damage to the Sea-to-Sky Gondola occurred at about 4 a.m. and no one was hurt.
“We are only a few hours into this investigation and we ask the public to stay out of the area,” said Squamish RCMP Sergeant Sascha Banks in a statement.
“The Sea to Sky Gondola is an integral part of this community and we very lucky no one was injured. Someone in our area has seen something or has heard something and we are asking them to call us immediately with any information.”
Police say they’re working with the West Vancouver Police Department and Integrated Police Dog Services in the investigation and are asking people to stay out of the area, including climbers and hikers.
Vandals were blamed for cutting the nearly six-centimetre thick cable in August 2019 while the ride was closed, sending about 30 gondolas smashing to the ground.
The attraction had reopened in early February after a six-month rebuild following the first instance of the cables being cut. The rebuild required a new cable being sent from Europe as well as a replacement of all the gondolas.
Total damage in that incident was estimated at up to $10 million, however, no arrests were made.
Following the first act of vandalism, the Sea-to-Sky Gondola suggested that they increased security measures, however, despite the changes, vandals were able to cut the line again.
Graham Cox
