It’s third time unlucky for Arthurs Seat Chairlift operator Richard Hudson, as once again the attraction on the Mornington Peninsula south of Melbourne has left tourists hanging above the tree line.

Mr Hudson took control of the chairlift in 1979 and had run it accident-free until 2003 when a pylon collapsed, causing injury to 18 people and isolating 50 for up to six hours. The lift underwent a $500,000 renovation before reopening and injuring another person in 2004.

This latest incident was blamed on the cable jumping from pulley wheels and running along the top of the pylons. The cost of replacing the lift is estimated at more than $3 million.

The chairlift has been surrounded by insurance concerns since the first accident, in which Mr Hudson’s public liability premiums rose dramatically. In 2004, the attraction was paying premiums of up to $73,000 a year.

Now Mr Hudson says permanent closure of the lift is getting “pretty close”.