In a landmark case, two teenagers have been awarded £275,000 each after being trapped on an amusement park ride for an alarming amount of time. The incident occurred at Oaks Amusement Park in Portland, Oregon, on June 14, 2024, when Xitlali Gomez-Salais and Evie Yannotta found themselves in an agonising situation on the AtmosFEAR ride.
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A Multnomah County jury reached their verdict on August 19, 2025, concluding the trial that highlighted the traumatic experience of the girls and 26 other riders who were left suspended upside down for over 25 minutes, approximately 50 feet in the air. Their attorney, Michael Fuller, expressed the sentiment of many affected by the incident, stating, “All these families ever wanted was accountability and civil justice.”
On the day of the incident, the AtmosFEAR ride malfunctioned at around 2:55 p.m., leaving riders in distress as they awaited rescue. The first responders, Portland Fire & Rescue, took nearly half an hour to reach the scene, and it took additional time to safely bring everyone back down to the ground. Eyewitnesses described a harrowing scene, where feelings of fear and confusion permeated the air; riders were reportedly screaming, crying, and some even lost consciousness during the ordeal.
The lawsuit filed by Gomez-Salais and Yannotta detailed the physical and emotional toll the situation took on both of them. At the time, Gomez-Salais, aged 13, suffered from chest pain, panic attacks, and insomnia, while Yannotta, aged 14, described experiencing abrasions, body aches, dizziness, and heightened anxiety. Both girls continue to struggle with post-traumatic stress and anxiety linked to the experience.
Yannotta recounted her terrifying memories before the jury, stating, “It was the highest terror I ever felt. There’s nothing like it ever in my life.” This emotional testimony underscored the importance of accountability in such incidents, highlighting the need for safe practices in amusement parks.
The complaint brought against Oaks Amusement Park claimed negligence on their part, arguing that they failed to properly maintain and operate the ride. The plaintiffs accused the park of lacking the essential tools for a rapid repair of the ride and failing to adequately inform riders of the potential dangers involved in the attraction. Furthermore, the park was accused of not providing riders with timely information during the incident itself, leaving them in the dark about what was happening.
In response to the lawsuit, Oaks Amusement Park stated that while they acknowledge the ride should not have become stuck, they are relieved that all riders emerged safely from the situation. The park reiterated their commitment to safety and pledged to work closely with ride manufacturers and state inspectors to prevent such incidents in the future. Following the verdict, the park also filed a lawsuit against Zamperla, the manufacturer of the ride, indicating an ongoing dispute regarding liability.
Fuller, the attorney representing the two teenagers, noted that both Oaks Amusement Park and Zamperla denied responsibility for an extended period, only admitting fault just before the trial commenced. He emphasised the importance of the jury’s decision and the relief it brought to the families involved. “My clients didn’t deserve what happened to them, and they are grateful for the jury’s verdict,” he said.
In addition to Gomez-Salais and Yannotta, several other riders from the incident have also reached settlements, highlighting the widespread impact of the unfortunate event. The total compensation awarded signifies a push for greater accountability and safety measures in amusement parks, as families continue to demand justice for their harrowing experiences.
As the dust settles on this incident, it serves as a poignant reminder of the potential dangers faced by amusement park enthusiasts and reinforces the essential need for stringent safety regulations in the industry. The verdict is not just about financial compensation but rather a call for transparency and improvement in the ways amusement parks operate and ensure rider safety.