Oaks Amusement Park teens awarded $550,000 after ride malfunction

A jury in Multnomah County, Oregon, has awarded $275,000 each to two teenagers, Xitlali Gomez-Salais and Evie Yannotta, following a ride malfunction at Oaks Amusement Park in Portland.

The incident occurred in June 2024 on the AtmosFEAR pendulum ride, which left 28 passengers suspended upside down approximately 50 to 100 feet in the air for about 25 minutes. The teenagers, who were 13 and 14 at the time, testified to experiencing extreme terror, physical pain from blood pooling in their heads, and psychological trauma. Gomez-Salais reported developing anxiety regarding elevators and airplanes, while Yannotta, a Korean martial arts champion, noted that injuries from the ordeal impacted her ability to compete.

The lawsuit targeted both Oaks Amusement Park and the ride manufacturer, Zamperla. While seven other plaintiffs reached settlements regarding the same incident, Gomez-Salais and Yannotta proceeded to trial. Reports indicate the malfunction was linked to an uneven distribution of weight among occupants, which prevented the ride from completing its 360-degree rotation.