The operators of the Aonach Mòr gondola face criminal prosecution following a serious accident 18 months ago.

The Procurator Fiscal has advised the Nevis Range Development Company that it faces charges in relation to the incident in July 2006 in which one of the cable cars fell from the cable and plunged to the ground. One of the company’s employees also faces proceedings.

Aonach Mòr summit plateau 

Nevis Range was staying tight lipped, saying it could not comment due to the pending proceedings. It told the BBC: “We will co-operate fully with all investigations and proceedings.

“The lift re-opened on 25 July. Since then, our regular safety and maintenance procedures have continued as normal and we reassure our visitors that the gondola is continuing to work smoothly and safely.”

The cable car system is used by both skiers and mountaineers heading for the corries and gullies of the 1,221m (4,006ft) Aonach Mòr, Britain’s eighth highest peak.

 Using the gondola saves a substantial amount of walk-in time during the winter’s short days and takes walkers and climbers to a height of 655m (2,150ft) at its top station.

The Dopplemayr gondola system uses 80 six-seater cars on a continuous 4.6km cable, running on 18 pylons, two masts and two drive stations.

A family from Totnes in Devon was hurt in the accident, and a Dutch tourist suffered chest injuries.