Why was the ride operating if there was lightning in the area?
I once had to be “rescued” from a chair lift at a ski resort when it broke down. We had to be lowered down from the lift using a rope and a “J” bar. It was kind of fun and they gave us all free ski passes, I was happy with that.
There is a standard process for removing skiers from ski lifts. It’s done at every ski resort on rare occasion and is practiced by Ski Patrol. It is a simple procedure. A rope with a loop at the end is tossed over the cable. The skier removes the skis, puts one foot in the loop, grabs the rope and is lowered to the ground.
I think I’ve been on the Ghost Riders lift. It was pretty old, but still serviceable.