Dozens forced to climb from tram cars stuck 40 feet up

FRANCONIA, N.H. -- Crews rescued 48 people from two tram cars at a New Hampshire ski resort after they became stuck 40 feet off the ground in sub-zero temperatures.

The trams stopped shortly before 2 p.m. Sunday at Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway in Franconia, in the White Mountains.

There were 41 people in a car going up the mountain and seven in a car near the top of the mountain going down, reports CBS Boston. The cars stopped roughly 50-75 feet from the top and bottom terminals.

The people who were stuck had to rappel to safety through a hatch in the bottom of the trams, the station says.

The mountain says a mechanical issue caused the braking system to become engaged.

A Cannon Mountain spokesman said crews didn't believe the cold temperature was a factor.

No injuries were reported.

The tram system was expected to reopen Monday morning.