What Happened to AtmosFEAR Ride Incident and Settlement (Oaks Park, Portland)?

On June 14, 2024, a terrifying incident unfolded at Oaks Amusement Park in Portland, Oregon, when its 'AtmosFEAR' pendulum ride, a 'showstopping extreme attraction' designed for 360-degree rotation, malfunctioned and stopped at its highest point. This left 28 riders, including many teenagers celebrating eighth-grade graduations, suspended upside down approximately 50 feet in the air for about 25 to 30 minutes. Portland Fire & Rescue, along with park staff, successfully rescued all riders by manually lowering the ride, with one individual taken to the hospital as a precaution due to a pre-existing medical condition.

The immediate aftermath saw riders reporting significant physical discomfort, including abrasions, soreness, dizziness, and increased heart rate, alongside severe psychological trauma such as terror, fright, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Oaks Park initially stated that inspections found no mechanical, technical, or maintenance issues and that operator error was not the cause, but declined to specify the cause due to pending litigation. The ride, manufactured by Italian company Zamperla, was closed for over a week before reopening on June 25, 2024, with its 360-degree inversion mode disabled, offering only 180 or 260-degree options.

Legal actions quickly followed, with nine individuals filing lawsuits against Oaks Park. Seven of these cases were settled for undisclosed amounts. Notably, in September 2024, Oaks Park filed its own lawsuit against Zamperla, alleging the manufacturer was negligent and responsible for the malfunction. In May 2025, three more families filed a lawsuit seeking $1.95 million in damages for their minor children who were on the ride, citing ongoing emotional distress and physical symptoms.

The most significant development occurred on August 20, 2026, when a Multnomah County jury awarded $550,000 to two teenage girls, Xitlali Gomez-Salais and Evie Yannotta, who had chosen to take their cases to trial. The jury's decision, a 10-2 vote, came after Oaks Park and Zamperla admitted fault shortly before the trial began, a reversal from their previous denials of liability over two years of litigation. The families expressed that the trial provided much-needed accountability and answers regarding the incident.

As of August 2026, the AtmosFEAR ride continues to operate, with Oaks Park's website indicating both 360° and 180° options are available. Oaks Amusement Park itself is undergoing a significant 20-year, $40 million refurbishment plan, which includes the addition of a new Drop Tower ride set to debut in spring 2027. The park also introduced season passes for the first time in 2026, marking its 121st operating season. While the legal battles for some minors may still be ongoing due to different statutes of limitations, the verdict for Gomez-Salais and Yannotta represents a major resolution for the high-profile incident.