An Australian woman dies after stuck in Japan's ski elevator

An Australian woman died after she remained trapped in a ski lift at a resort in central Japan, officials said.

The 22-year-old woman was using a cable chair at the Mountain Resort in Otar, Nagano Prefecture, when part of her back was stuck in the elevator mechanism, leaving her suspended in the air, BBC reported, broadcasting Express.

The woman then suffered a heart attack and was sent to a hospital where she was declared dead, officials said.

Tsugaki Mountain Resort and Tsugaic Gondola Lift Co issued a joint apology and said he had launched an investigation into the incident, which took place around 0900 local (0:00 GMT) on Friday.

The resort's executive director, Tsuneo Kubo, expressed its deepest condolences to the deceased's family” and said security measures would be strengthened.

He said in a statement that an unbound landen on the woman's back had been caught in a chair while the backpack belt was still fixed, causing her to pull back with him after she tried to get off.

The elevator was stopped by an elevator that pressed the emergency button, after which the first aid was given, and the woman was transported to an ambulance hospital, Kubo added.

The accident occurred on top of the Tsuga No.2 elevator for two people. The woman had been riding the elevator with another person, police told local media.

The elevator operator said he was co-operating with police and other authorities, while the cause of the accident was being investigated and security procedures were being revised.

“We take this situation very seriously and try to operate the ski resort in a safe way so that our clients can use it calmly. ”

Police are questioning the resort staff and inspecting elevator equipment as part of their investigation, according to local media.

Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed that one of its citizens had died in Japan and said she was offering consular aid to the family.

We express our deepest condolences to the family in this difficult time. Because of our privacy obligations, we are unable to give further comments,” said a spokesman.

The Tsugaic mountain resort in Hakuba Valley is one of the largest ski areas in Nagano, known for both local and international visitors./Periscopi/