US Amusement Park Ride Malfunction Leaves 30 Passengers Suspended Upside Down for 25 Minutes
Bastillepost · 1 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
A ride malfunction at Oaks Park in Portland, Oregon, stranded roughly 30 passengers upside down on the AtmosFEAR attraction for approximately 25 minutes on June 14, 2024, the opening day of the park's summer season. The ride became stuck in a vertical position, forcing firefighters to manually lower the ride with engineering staff assistance. Two teenage girls filed lawsuits alleging the park and ride manufacturer Zamperla lacked proper emergency rescue plans. A jury recently awarded each plaintiff $275,000 in damages, with the verdict finding insufficient safety protocols contributed to the extended rescue time.
Key Points
- The AtmosFEAR ride at Oaks Park malfunctioned on June 14, 2024, leaving about 30 passengers suspended upside down for roughly 25 minutes .
- Portland firefighters responded to the scene and worked with park engineers to manually lower the ride to the ground, where passengers were medically evaluated .
- The two teenage plaintiffs alleged Oaks Park had no emergency plan for handling a ride stuck in an inverted position and lacked tools for immediate descent .
- The jury delivered a 10-2 verdict against Oaks Park and Zamperla, awarding each plaintiff $275,000 in compensation .
- Park officials acknowledged the ride should not have malfunctioned but expressed relief that all passengers were safely rescued .
Why It Matters
This case highlights the critical importance of comprehensive emergency preparedness at amusement parks, particularly for rides that position passengers in hazardous orientations. The jury's decision signals that ride operators and manufacturers may face significant liability when emergency protocols are inadequate. For Hong Kong families who frequent amusement parks, this verdict reinforces the need for venues to maintain robust safety plans and readily available rescue equipment.
This case highlights the critical importance of comprehensive emergency preparedness at amusement parks, particularly for rides that position passengers in hazardous orientations. The jury's decision signals that ride operators and manufacturers may face significant liability when emergency protocols are inadequate. For Hong Kong families who frequent amusement parks, this verdict reinforces the need for venues to maintain robust safety plans and readily available rescue equipment.