Italy cable car: Doctor, 40, texted her sister 'we're getting on' before ‘cable snapped’ – killing 14 including boy, 2

A DOCTOR sent a last message to her sister to say she was boarding a cable car in northern Italy – an hour before it plunged 20 metres to the ground, killing 14.

Roberta Pistolato, a doctor working on the frontline of Italy's battle against Covid, died in the tragedy as she celebrated her 40th birthday with her boyfriend Angelo Gasparro, 45.

Shortly before the horror, believed to have happened when a cable snapped near the summit of a 4,900ft mountain in Mottarone, Ms Pistolato texted her sister: "We're getting on the cable car."

Engaged couple Silvia Malnati 27, and Alessandro Merlo, 29, were also killed.

One family, originally from Israel and living in Italy, lost five members in Sunday's tragedy, including a two-year-old boy and an 81-year-old grandmother, when the car fell 65ft.

A nine-year-old boy died after being airlifted to a hospital in Turin.

The only survivor of the tragedy is a five-year-old boy, who remains in a serious condition with injuries to his head, legs and chest.

The area's mayor Marcella Severino says it's believed the disaster was caused by a snapped cable, although the cause is under investigation.

Ms Pistolato and Mr Gasparro, who lived in Castel San Giovanni, had taken a trip to the mountain to celebrate her birthday, la Repubblica reports.

Mr Merlo and Ms Malnati were from the northern city of Varese, where neighbours told of their devastation.

One said Ms Malnati was "always cheerful".

Ms Severino said hikers heard a bang as the car shot backwards and toppled to the ground.

'WE ARE DEVASTATED'

"Some were killed inside, while others were thrown from the car. It appears the cable gave way, and walkers saw it happen," she said.

"They heard a loud bang and saw the cable car just before the summit and then it accelerated backwards, struck a support pillar and fell.

"Where it hit the ground is a remote spot, it's on the edge of some woods, and the witnesses said it rolled three times before stopping against some trees."

The mayor added: "We are devastated, in pain.

"It's a terrible moment for me and for our community and I think also for the whole of Italy."

Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi said: "I have heard with deep sadness about the tragic accident on the Stresa Mottarone cable car.

"I express the sympathy of all the government to the families of the victims, with particular thought to the children involved who have been left seriously hurt, and their families as well."

A witness told MailOnline: "It was a very steep drop, so the cable car tumbled for a while before stopping against some trees. 

"The police are at the scene of the incident and are trying to identify the people. It is a devastating morning for all of us."

The cable line closed in 2014 for a €4.4 million renovation, opening against in 2016.

However, it then shut as a result of the coronavirus lockdown, which forced the closures of ski lifts across Italy. It reopened again less than a month ago, on April 24.

The service first began running in August 1970 and the journey takes 20 minutes.

Source: Read Full Article