A Multnomah County jury on Thursday awarded a total of $550,000 to two teenage girls who were stranded upside down on the AtmosFEAR ride at Oaks Park in Portland. The verdict, a 10‑2 vote, granted each teen $275,000 after a lawsuit alleging negligence by the park and the ride’s manufacturer, Zamperla.
Incident details
On June 14, 2024, the pendulum‑style ride became stuck in a vertical position, leaving roughly 30 riders suspended in the air. The malfunction occurred on the park’s first day of the summer season. Video from the scene showed riders hanging motionless while onlookers gathered below.
Portland Fire & Rescue crews arrived promptly and worked with park engineers to manually lower the ride. After about 25 minutes, all riders were safely brought to the ground and received medical evaluations.
Legal claims and jury findings
The plaintiffs argued that Oaks Park failed to maintain a safety plan for a ride that could become inverted, lacked the tools to rescue riders on site, and did not provide adequate traffic control for emergency responders. One family, speaking on behalf of a teen identified as Evie, said the park’s response required a 1‑800 call to obtain a rescue tool, further delaying assistance.
The jury concluded that the park and Zamperla bore responsibility for the malfunction and the ensuing safety lapses, leading to the monetary award.
Reactions
Oaks Park released a statement acknowledging the incident and expressing relief that all riders were unharmed. “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. The park added that safety remains its top priority and that it will continue working with manufacturers and state inspectors.
The family of one teen emphasized that the lawsuit was filed to seek accountability and justice, not merely compensation. They criticized the park’s lack of an on‑site rescue tool and the evacuation plan that left emergency vehicles without proper traffic control.
Industry context
Amusement‑park ride safety has been a recurring concern nationwide, with manufacturers and operators under increasing scrutiny to maintain rigorous inspection and emergency‑response protocols. While Zamperla did not immediately comment, the verdict may prompt other parks to review their own safety procedures.
Portland officials have not indicated any regulatory changes stemming from this case, but the outcome underscores the importance of clear emergency plans for public attractions.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
