At Least 20 People Trapped Overnight In Sandia Peak Tram Cars In Albuquerque

Rescue efforts are underway after at least 20 people became trapped overnight in a tram car on the Sandia Peak Tramway in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

ABC affiliate KOAT reports icy conditions resulted in about 21 people getting stuck in two tram cars near Tower 2 around 10 p.m. Friday. According to Sandia Peak Tramway general manager Michael Donavan, 20 of the 21 people that were stranded have been rescued. Donavan added that those trapped included a mix of employees from the Tram, as well as the Ten 3 restaurant at the peak.

“There is one person, along with rescue personnel that are still in the Tram car,” a spokesperson from the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office said. “Rescue efforts have been halted as of 1 pm, because of changing weather conditions.”

Per KOAT, it’s the fifth time since 1973 in which people have been trapped on the Tram for at least four hours. The other four incidents are as follows: June 14, 1973 (24 hours, 41 people), Sept. 17, 1982 (five hours, 49 people), June 18, 2012 (five hours, 20 people), and August 15, 2020 (four hours, 20 people).