Germany: Tourists rescued after cable car ordeal

TWENTY tourists have been rescued after being trapped overnight on a cable car in the German Alps.

Emergency services spokesman Roland Ampenberger said helicopter crews lifted the group, which included several children, to safety after they had spent about 17 hours inside a gondola, suspended some 260ft above the ground.

Police said the cable car was stopped late on Friday evening after a paraglider crashed into the cables of the system, which climbs the Tegelberg mountain.

However, strong winds hindered a swift rescue effort and the group of 20 were left stranded for a total of 17 hours before being rescued.

Tegelberg is within sight of one of Germany's most popular tourist attractions, the Neuschwanstein Castle, which is often regarded as the inspiration for one of Walt Disney's fairytale castles.