Oaks Park reopens AtmosFEAR ride after malfunction trapped passengers mid-air

Aimee Plante
·3 min read
1

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The ride that stalled mid-air at Oaks Amusement Park with its riders hanging upside down resumed service on Tuesday — less than two weeks after its malfunction.

The park announced the AtmosFEAR would return to service after its manufacturer, Zamperla, finished its inspection of the ride and found “no mechanical, technical, or maintenance issues.”

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The exact cause of the ride’s malfunction remains unclear, though the park said “the incident was not the result of operator error.” A state-qualified independent inspector has also cleared the ride for use.

However, parkgoers who strap in this week will not have the full 360 degree experience the ride once offered.

“Oaks Park has suspended the operation of the 360 degree mode and, until further notice, will instead offer riders the option of either a 180 degree or 260 degree experience,” the park said in a press release.

  • Officials rescue 28 riders trapped upside-down at Oaks Amusement Park (courtesy Portland Fire and Rescue).
    Officials rescue 28 riders trapped upside-down at Oaks Amusement Park (courtesy Portland Fire and Rescue).
  • Officials rescue 28 riders trapped upside-down at Oaks Amusement Park (courtesy Portland Fire and Rescue).
    Officials rescue 28 riders trapped upside-down at Oaks Amusement Park (courtesy Portland Fire and Rescue).
  • Officials rescue 30 riders trapped upside-down at Oaks Amusement Park
    (Courtesy: Illya Plaksey)
  • Officials rescue 30 riders trapped upside-down at Oaks Amusement Park
    (PF&R)
  • Officials rescue 30 riders trapped upside-down at Oaks Amusement Park (courtesy Portland Fire and Rescue).
    (PF&R)

On June 14, passengers were “stuck upside down” at a height of 50 feet for nearly 30 minutes before getting lowered back down safety. No major injuries were reported by authorities, but riders have described the experience as traumatic.

“A lot of people were screaming, throwing up, crying, panicking — not knowing what to do. Feeling completely helpless,” Evie Yannota told days after her experience on the ride. “And no one was really telling us what was going on. “

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Her mother, Amy Yannotta, has since filed a lawsuit with the help of attorney Michael Fuller in the Multnomah County Circuit Court that accuses Oaks Park of negligence by not making sure the ride was “reasonably safe” for the 28 passengers.

Jason Kafoury, an attorney representing four families also impacted by the ride’s malfunction.

“Many of them had broken blood vessels in their face. Many of them are going to have some pretty significant psychological trauma from this, and it’s going to be a long term situation,” Kafoury said. “We have no idea, A.) what exactly happened yet that led to this malfunction, and B.) we don’t know what the long term consequences are for a lot of these kids.”

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He also said he and the families are still in the process of investigating the “whys,” sending a preservation letter to Oaks Park after the incident asking them to not destroy any evidence — though he has yet to get a response from them.

Kafoury said he expects to hear from the park in the next week or so.

Following the incident, Oaks Park immediately offered refunds for those impacted by the ride, urging visitors to keep their ride bracelets to “help expedite the refund or rescheduling process.”

Since then, an Oaks Park spokesperson has told KOIN 6 News the park cannot comment on pending litigation.

Stay with KOIN 6 News as this story develops.

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