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Teens Awarded $550K After Vertical Ride Strands Them
21 Aug
Summary
- Two teens received $550,000 after a park ride malfunctioned.
- The AtmosFEAR ride left about 30 riders hanging upside down.
- Park lacked a safety plan for ride emergencies, lawsuit claims.
A jury has awarded $550,000 to two teenagers who were left hanging upside down for nearly 30 minutes when the AtmosFEAR ride at Oaks Park malfunctioned on June 14, 2024. The verdict, reached with a 10-2 vote, grants each teen $275,000 against Oaks Park and ride manufacturer Zamperla. Approximately 30 riders were stranded when the ride became stuck vertically.
Portland Fire & Rescue, working with park engineers, manually lowered the ride, rescuing the riders after about 25 minutes. They were medically evaluated following the incident. The family of one teen stated the lawsuit sought accountability, citing a lack of an adequate safety plan at Oaks Park for such a crisis. They noted that park staff required external assistance to lower the ride.
The malfunction occurred on the park's opening day for the summer season. Oaks Park released a statement expressing gratitude that all riders were safe and that the incident was resolved, emphasizing safety as their top priority. They plan to continue working with manufacturers and inspectors to ensure rider safety.
