Upside-Down Ride Trauma: Teens Awarded $550K

Two teenagers, Xitlali Gomez-Salais and Evie Yannotta, were awarded $275,000 each by a Multnomah County jury on August 19, 2026, following a harrowing experience on the AtmosFEAR ride at Oaks Amusement Park. The ride malfunctioned on June 14, 2025, trapping 28 individuals, including the two minors, upside down approximately 50 feet above the ground for over 25 minutes.

The lawsuit filed by Gomez-Salais, 13 at the time, and Yannotta, 14, detailed the severe distress experienced by riders, including screaming, crying, vomiting, and passing out. Both teens reported ongoing physical and emotional repercussions, such as chest pain, insomnia, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress. They accused Oaks Amusement Park of negligence, citing inadequate ride maintenance, insufficient repair tools, and a failure to adequately inform riders of the situation.

Oaks Amusement Park later initiated a lawsuit against the ride's manufacturer, Zamperla. Attorneys for the teens stated that both companies denied liability for two years before admitting fault shortly before the trial. The park acknowledged the ride should not have become stuck but expressed gratitude that all riders were safe and the matter resolved. Seven other riders involved in the incident have reached undisclosed settlements.