Oaks Park Ride Malfunction Leads to $550,000 Award for Trapped Teens
A jury has awarded $550,000 to two teenagers who were trapped upside down on the AtmosFEAR ride at Oaks Park in Portland, Oregon. The incident occurred in June 2024 when the ride malfunctioned, leaving 30 riders suspended for nearly half an hour. Portland Fire & Rescue crews eventually had to manually override the system to bring the riders down safely. Following the malfunction, lawsuits were filed against Oaks Park and the ride's manufacturer. This week, a jury voted 10-2 to hold both parties accountable, awarding each of the two teen girls $275,000. Oaks Park issued a statement acknowledging the incident and reiterating their commitment to safety, stating they are grateful all riders are safe and the matter is resolved. The family of one of the teens expressed that for over two years, Oaks Park denied fault, only admitting liability a week prior to the verdict. They also highlighted the lack of a safety plan and appropriate tools at the park to address such a malfunction, which delayed rescue efforts. 
