Full Breakdown
Oregon Teens Awarded $550,000 After Amusement-Park Ride Malfunction
8/21/2026, 12:08:10 PM
The Verdict and Incident Details
A Multnomah County jury voted 10-2 to award $275,000 to each of two teenage riders—Evie Yannotta and Xitlali Gomez-Salais (13)—who were trapped upside down on the AtmosFEAR pendulum ride at Oaks Amusement Park on June 14, 2024. The ride stalled about 50 feet above the ground, leaving roughly 30 riders suspended for approximately 25 minutes before Portland Fire & Rescue crews manually lowered the attraction. The total judgment of $550,000 was directed at Oaks Park and the ride’s manufacturer, Zamperla.
Background & Context
The AtmosFEAR malfunction occurred on the park’s first day of the summer season. Plaintiffs alleged that Oaks Park failed to maintain the ride, lacked tools to rescue riders, and did not provide timely information during the incident. The lawsuits named both the park and Zamperla as negligent defendants. After two years of denying liability, the defendants admitted fault a week before trial, prompting the families to seek accountability and answers.
Data & Statistics
- Riders trapped: ~30 (including the two teens)
- Duration of suspension: ~25 minutes
- Height of ride when stalled: ~50 feet above ground
- Award per teen: $275,000 (total $550,000)
- Jury vote: 10-2 in favor of plaintiffs
- Ages at time of incident: 13 and 14
Official Statements & Responses
Oaks Park Association released a statement acknowledging the verdict, expressing gratitude that all riders were safe, and reaffirming safety as a top priority while pledging continued cooperation with manufacturers and state inspectors.
Attorney Michael Fuller, representing the teens, said the trial “brought about accountability” and emphasized that the compensation addresses both the physical injuries and the lasting emotional trauma.
Jaime Gomez, father of Xitlali Gomez-Salais, reiterated the family’s demand for clear answers, stating that “our priority has always been to protect our child and to find out exactly what happened.”
Criticism & Opposition
Jaime Gomez also criticized the park’s emergency response, noting that staff lacked the tools to lower the ride and that evacuation procedures delayed first responders. He questioned why a safety-override feature was not installed on the AtmosFEAR ride at the time of the malfunction.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We need real answers and not excuses and deflections.” — Michael Fuller, represented by attorney
- “It was horrible to understand that this affected them not just during the 25 minutes on the ride but even in the years after,” — Michael Fuller, represented by attorney
- “Oaks Park and the manufacturer had denied liability, basically blamed these families, called them liars for over two years in court,” — Michael Fuller, represented by attorney
- “We're obviously very satisfied with the dollar amount, but maybe more importantly this trial brought about accountability,” — Fuller. KATU, park spokesperson
- “This case was filed to get answers and we got that,” — Michael Fuller, represented by attorney
- “I carry my anxiety with me every day,” — Wednesday. Xitlali Gomez-Salais
