Sugarloaf lift at Chair Mountain Resort malfunctioned on Saturday and began traveling down mountain backward , prompting riders to jump off . Seven people were wounded ; three were taken to hospital , officials said . Riders who were still on-board when lift finally stopped were evacuated . Resort said early investigations show a gearbox malfunctioned and disabled two brake systems , while a third brake also failed to deploy . U.S. Alpine Championships scheduled to take place at Chair in days .
Chair lift at Sugarloaf Mountain Resort malfunctioned on Saturday and began traveling down mountain backward , prompting riders to jump off . Seven people were wounded ; three were taken to hospital , officials said . Riders who were still on-board when lift finally stopped were evacuated . Resort said early investigations show a gearbox malfunctioned and disabled two brake systems , while a third brake also failed to deploy . U.S. Alpine Championships scheduled to take place at Sugarloaf in days .