11 people injured in tram accident at Kartchner Caverns
COCHISE COUNTY, AZ (Tucson News Now) - Eleven people were injured in a tram accident at Kartchner Caverns State Park on Friday, Jan. 8.
Three of the injured were taken to hospitals in Sierra Vista and Benson. Authorities did not release any further information about the severity of the injuries.
Park manager Christopher de Mille said the accident happened as the tram was headed up the hill while taking park visitors to the caverns. Something went wrong, causing the tram to fall off to the side of the road, according to de Mille.
This is the first tram accident at the park, de Mille said. The three-car electric trams make the trip to the caverns as often as 25 times a day during this season, depending on how many visitors are taking cavern tours.
All cave tours were canceled Friday after the accident. The park plans to resume normal operations on Saturday.
The Cochise County Sheriff's Office and other agencies assisted in the assessment of the injuries.
Tucson News Now's Janice Yu is at the scene at the park south of Benson. She can be followed on Twitter at @JaniceYuNews.
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