Authorities confirmed that a man died and a woman was severely injured after a sudden collision between a gondola and a piece of construction machinery at a ski resort. 

The tragic incident occurred at Mont-Tremblant Resort in Quebec, according to the Sûreté du Québec (SQ). The accident occurred on Sunday, July 16, when a sightseeing gondola unexpectedly collided with a drilling machine.

The two victims were passengers on the gondola and were violently ejected due to the collision. Sheldon Johnson, 50, was thrown from the chairlift and died from his injuries upon impact with the ground. The second passenger, Marichu Gadong-Gleyo, is in critical condition in a local hospital. 

Provincial police are conducting an exhaustive investigation into this startling incident. The investigation includes talking to resort employees, eyewitnesses, and the operator of the drilling machine. The SQ has not dismissed the potential of criminal negligence playing a part in the accident.

SQ spokesperson Eric Cadotte expressed concern regarding the presence of an operating drilling machine directly beneath the path of the gondolas, especially on a Sunday. The operator of the machinery has been treated for shock post-incident. 

In the wake of this accident, the Mont-Tremblant Resort Association has announced the suspension of all resort activities. Annique Aird, vice president of sales, marketing, and communications, extended her deepest condolences to those affected in a Facebook post while acknowledging the severity of the accident.