An Australian woman has died after becoming trapped in a ski lift at a resort in central Japan, officials have said. The 22-year-old woman had been using a chairlift at Tsugaike Mountain Resort in Otari, Nagano prefecture, when part of her backpack became caught in the lift mechanism, leaving her suspended in midair. The woman then suffered a heart attack and was taken to hospital where she was pronounced dead, officials said. The Tsugaike Mountain Resort and Tsugaike Gondola Lift Co issued a joint apology and said an investigation had been launched into the incident, which occurred around 09:00 local time (0:00 GMT) on Friday.

The resort's chief executive Tsuneo Kubo expressed his 'deepest condolences to the bereaved family' and said safety measures would be strengthened. He stated that an unfastened buckle on the woman's backpack had become hooked to the chair while the bag's chest strap was still fastened, causing her to be dragged along with it after trying to disembark.

The lift was stopped by an attendant who pressed the emergency button, after which first aid was administered and the woman was transported to hospital by ambulance. The accident took place at the top of the two-person Tsuga No.2 Pair Lift, and police have been questioning resort staff and inspecting the lift equipment as part of their inquiry.

Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed that one of its citizens had died in Japan and said it was providing consular assistance to the family. Tsugaike Mountain Resort in Hakuba Valley is one of Nagano's largest ski areas, popular with both domestic and international visitors.}