A Multnomah County jury has awarded two Oregon teenagers $275,000 each after they were trapped upside down on an amusement park ride for more than 20 minutes, according to local reports.
The teensâXitlali Gomez-Salais and Evie Yannottaâwere 13 and 14 years old when the AtmosFEAR ride at Oaks Amusement Park malfunctioned in June 2024, leaving them and nearly 30 other riders dangling hundreds of feet in the air. KATU reported Wednesday that the jury’s verdict marks the first trial stemming from the incident, with seven other riders having already reached settlements.
The Incident
Emergency crews were called to the park after the ride stopped mid-cycle, leaving riders suspended upside down. It took about 20 minutes for rescue teams to arrive and bring the ride down. During that time, some riders feared for their lives.
âIâm not even religious, and I said a prayer. I didnât think I was going to live to see right now,â one of the rescued riders told reporters at the time.
Video footage from the ride enthusiast channel Koaster Mania showed the ride’s height and the precarious position of the stranded passengers.
Lawsuits and Allegations
Gomez-Salais and Yannotta filed separate lawsuits against the park, which were later consolidated with other claims from the same incident. Their legal complaints detailed both physical and psychological injuries.
Yannottaâs complaint alleged abrasions, soreness, body aches, dizziness, increased heart rate and blood pressure, as well as ongoing post-traumatic stress and anxiety. Gomez-Salaisâ complaint alleged chest pain, panic, weakness, insomnia, and similarly lasting post-traumatic stress and anxiety.
The jury’s award of $275,000 to each teen covers those alleged damages.
Ride’s Return and Ongoing Questions
Days after the malfunction, OPB reported that the ride would resume operation. The park said inspections found âno mechanical, technical, or maintenance problemsâ and that the operator was not at fault. However, a park spokesperson simultaneously said Oaks Park could not comment on the cause of the stop due to pending litigation.
When the ride returned, it operated with a key change: it would no longer complete a full circle. Passengers were given the choice of a 180-degree or 260-degree ride instead.
The ride’s altered operation suggests lingering caution even as the park maintained that no equipment issues were discovered.
Legal Context and Future Trials
Gomez-Salais and Yannotta’s cases were the first to go to trial, and their success could influence how remaining claims are resolved. The seven other riders who settled did so before trial, and it remains unclear whether their settlement amounts were comparable.
The verdict sends a clear signal to amusement park operators about the legal and financial consequences of ride malfunctions that cause serious distress to patrons, especially minors.
Neither Oaks Park nor the teens’ attorneys have publicly commented on the verdict since it was handed down, according to the KATU report.
The case underscores the importance of ride safety and the lasting trauma that mechanical failures can inflict, even when physical injuries are relatively minor.
Source: www.breitbart.com â https://www.breitbart.com/local/2026/08/20/video-portland-two-teens-awarded-275k-each-after-being-trapped-upside-down-on-amusement-ride/