Oregon theme park riders stuck upside down
A dramatic rescue unfolded in Oregon when emergency teams saved 30 individuals trapped upside down on a ride at Oaks Park, one of America’s oldest amusement parks. (Credit: TikTok/Chris Ryan)
In a notable legal decision, two teenage girls received $550,000 in damages after enduring a terrifying experience where they were suspended upside down for almost 30 minutes due to a ride malfunction at an Oregon amusement park.
This week, a jury ruled in favor of the two teens, granting them $275,000 each in their lawsuit against Oaks Park and the ride’s manufacturer, Zamperla. The legal action stemmed from the AtmosFEAR ride malfunction in Portland in June 2024, as reported by FOX 12 Oregon.
Approximately 30 thrill-seekers faced an unexpected ordeal when the pendulum-style ride, known for its dizzying spins, came to a halt in a vertical position on June 14, 2024, leaving them stranded upside down.
Some 30 individuals found themselves hanging upside down at a Portland-based amusement park on June 14, 2024. (Portland Fire & Rescue via X)
Portland Fire & Rescue crews responded and worked with park engineers to manually lower the ride. The riders were brought down safely after roughly 25 minutes and medically evaluated.
Oaks Park said in a statement to FOX 12 following the verdict:
“While we agree that the ride should not have become stuck, we are grateful that all of the riders are safe, and this incident is now resolved,” the statement read. “Safety is our top priority, and we will continue to work with ride manufacturers and state inspectors to ensure rider safety.”
The family of one of the teens, identified as Evie, said Thursday that the lawsuit was intended to seek accountability.
Officials at the scene say the passengers were “stuck upside down” on the AtmosFEAR ride, in Portland, Ore., June 14, 2024. (Portland Fire & Rescue via X)
“We filed this lawsuit to seek accountability and justice. Not only should the ride have never malfunctioned, but the crisis was further exacerbated by the lack of a safety plan at Oaks Park. They did not possess any knowledge of how to fix the ride if it got stuck in the inverted position, and did not have a tool at the park to lower the ride and rescue the riders,” they told FOX 12.
“That required calling a 1-800 number to even know how to fix the ride, then wait for first responders to arrive on scene, and for the first responders to provide the tool. Additionally, Oaks Park evacuated the park without providing traffic control, which delayed first responders from being able to enter the park quickly in an emergency, prolonging suffering.”
The malfunction occurred on the park’s first day of the summer season. Video from the incident showed riders suspended vertically as people gathered below.
A spokesperson for Zamperla and Oaks Park did not immediately respond to News Media’s request for comment.