In a legal decision that concluded a nerve-wracking ordeal, two teenagers from Oregon have been granted a total of $550,000. This substantial compensation follows a harrowing incident where they, along with 26 others, found themselves stuck upside down on a malfunctioning amusement park ride.
Xitlali Gomez-Salais and Evie Yannotta, then aged 13 and 14, were gripped by fear as they hung precariously on the AtmosFEAR, a pendulum swing ride at Oaks Amusement Park in Portland. The incident, which took place in June 2024, had the young girls terrified they might plunge 100 feet to the ground, as reported by the Oregonian.
In the aftermath, a total of nine individuals took legal action against the amusement park, though the details of the settlements varied, with seven plaintiffs reaching different agreements.
This past Wednesday, a jury concluded that Gomez-Salais and Yannotta, who have since turned 16, deserved $275,000 each. Their lawsuit, which sought $2 million, targeted both the park and Zamperla, the company responsible for manufacturing the ride.
Throughout the trial, Yannotta, recognized as a champion in Korean martial arts, conveyed her distress to the jury. She recounted the terror she felt, fearing that the ride’s harnesses could accidentally unbuckle, putting her life in jeopardy.
“Just the highest terror I ever felt,” she said. “There’s nothing like it ever in my life.”
She recounted how a teacher from another school tried to reassure the stranded riders by saying they would be returning home.
“But I knew she didn’t know that,” she said.
She said her pal had bloodshot eyes – seemingly because of the blood that had rushed to their head.
“So many people were throwing up at that point, and I thought I might throw up too,” she said.
Yannotta also claimed that park staffers on the ground were telling customers to leave while riders were stuck in the air.
“I remember thinking that they didn’t want people seeing something that was going to happen — like us falling or us passing out all limp in the harnesses,” she said.
During the civil trial, Gomez-Salais also provided vivid testimony.
“I didn’t want people to see me die,” she said. “It’s hard to be in a position like that, where your friends are underneath you.”
Both girls have since suffered from post-traumatic stress and anxiety, according to the lawsuits seen by KATU.
“I carry my anxiety with me every day,” Gomez-Salais said, while Yannotta said the injuries she sustained stopped her from competing in martial arts events.
“They had to seek counseling, treatment, and medication. Some of them are still afraid to fly on planes,” attorney Michael Fuller, who represented the two girls, said after the verdict.
It still remains unclear what caused the ride to malfunction during its 360-degree cycle.
“We are grateful that all of the riders are safe, and this incident is now resolved,” a park spokesperson told KATU.
“Safety is our top priority and we will continue to work with ride manufacturers and state inspectors to ensure rider safety.”
“We need real answers and not excuses and deflections,” Jaime Gomez, Gomez-Salais’ dad, said after the verdict.
Fuller claimed the theme park had admitted fault.
More than 900,000 people visit Oaks Amusement Park every year — and it opened for its 121st season in March.