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Jury Awards $550,000 After AtmosFEAR Ride Malfunction

8/21/2026

39 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

A Multnomah County jury awarded $550,000 to two teenage girls after an AtmosFEAR ride malfunction.
The ride stalled upside down on June 14, 2024, trapping about 28 riders for roughly 25 minutes.
The jury voted 10-2 to hold Oaks Amusement Park and manufacturer Zamperla liable.
The girls suffered physical injuries and ongoing post-traumatic stress that affect school and sports.

History

Historical Context

In 1978 a braking failure on a Six Flags Over Texas wooden coaster injured ten riders, prompting a settlement and highlighting growing liability concerns for amusement parks. The park’s later safety overhaul after a 2013 New Texas Giant fatality, which led to mandatory seat-belt installations across the chain, shows how early accidents have shaped stricter testing and legal expectations for manufacturers and operators.

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Story summary

A Multnomah County jury awarded $550,000 to two teenage girls after an AtmosFEAR ride malfunction.
The ride stalled upside down on June 14, 2024, trapping about 28 riders for roughly 25 minutes.
The jury voted 10-2 to hold Oaks Amusement Park and manufacturer Zamperla liable.
The girls suffered physical injuries and ongoing post-traumatic stress that affect school and sports.

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