Emergency crews in Oregon successfully rescued 30 individuals trapped upside down on a malfunctioning ride at Oaks Park, a historic amusement park. A jury recently awarded $550,000 to two teenage girls who experienced the ordeal for nearly 30 minutes due to the ride’s issues.
The jury, with a 10-2 vote, decided to grant the teens $275,000 each. This decision was against Oaks Park and the ride’s manufacturer, Zamperla. The malfunction happened on June 14, 2024, affecting the AtmosFEAR ride in Portland.
On the day of the incident, the spinning pendulum-style ride became stuck in a vertical position. Approximately 30 riders found themselves upside down. Portland Fire & Rescue teams collaborated with park engineers, manually lowering the ride to bring everyone to safety. The evacuation took about 25 minutes, with subsequent medical evaluations for all.
“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,” Oaks Park stated to FOX 12 after the jury’s decision.
The amusement park emphasized its commitment to safety and announced intentions to collaborate with ride manufacturers and state inspectors for future rider security.
The family of one teen, Evie, mentioned that the lawsuit aimed for accountability. They expressed concerns over the absence of a safety plan at Oaks Park, noting there was no procedure or tool available to fix the ride’s inverted position. This led to reliance on external resources and delayed response from emergency services. Moreover, the park’s evacuation process further hindered rapid intervention.
The malfunction occurred on the park’s opening day of the summer season. Videos from the event showed riders suspended as onlookers gathered below. Zamperla and Oaks Park representatives did not promptly offer comments to Fox News Digital.
Reporter Brittany Miller, known for coverage of breaking news and formerly affiliated with the Independent, graduated from Syracuse University in 2023.
Severe Storms Hit Northeast U.S., Causing Flooding and Damage 
New York Times Liable in Defamation Case Involving Former College Basketball Player 
Interest Rates Rebound Amid Concerns Over Government Debt 
Large-Scale Deportation Flight to Haiti Sparks Concerns 
Power Outage in Northwestern Indiana Leaves Thousands Without Electricity 
Seattle Times Columnist Resigns After Article Rejection