Two Oregon teenagers who were trapped upside down with 26 other riders on a malfunctioning amusement park attraction have been awarded a combined $550,000 for the ordeal.
Xitlali Gomez-Salais and Evie Yannotta were 13 and 14 when the AtmosFEAR pendulum ride at Oaks Amusement Park in Portland stalled in June 2024, leaving them suspended about 100 feet in the air and terrified they could fall, The Oregonian reported.
The incident led to lawsuits from nine people against the park, with seven plaintiffs ultimately reaching settlements for varying amounts.
On Wednesday, a jury decided Gomez-Salais and Yannotta, now both 16, should receive $275,000 apiece after they sued Oaks Amusement Park and ride manufacturer Zamperla for $2 million.
Testifying during the trial, Yannotta, a Korean martial arts champion, became emotional as she described fearing that the safety harnesses might release by mistake while the ride was stuck.
“Just the highest terror I ever felt,” she told jurors. “There’s nothing like it ever in my life.”
Yannotta also recalled a teacher from another school trying to calm the stranded riders by assuring them they would make it home.
“But I knew she didn’t know that,” Yannotta said.
She said her pal had bloodshot eyes – seemingly because of the blood that had rushed to their head.
“So many people were throwing up at that point, and I thought I might throw up too,” she said.
Yannotta also claimed that park staffers on the ground were telling customers to leave while riders were stuck in the air.
“I remember thinking that they didn’t want people seeing something that was going to happen — like us falling or us passing out all limp in the harnesses,” she said.
During the civil trial, Gomez-Salais also provided vivid testimony.
“I didn’t want people to see me die,” she said. “It’s hard to be in a position like that, where your friends are underneath you.”
Both girls have since suffered from post-traumatic stress and anxiety, according to the lawsuits seen by KATU.
“I carry my anxiety with me every day,” Gomez-Salais said, while Yannotta said the injuries she sustained stopped her from competing in martial arts events.
“They had to seek counseling, treatment, and medication. Some of them are still afraid to fly on planes,” attorney Michael Fuller, who represented the two girls, said after the verdict.
It still remains unclear what caused the ride to malfunction during its 360-degree cycle.
“We are grateful that all of the riders are safe, and this incident is now resolved,” a park spokesperson told KATU.
“Safety is our top priority and we will continue to work with ride manufacturers and state inspectors to ensure rider safety.”
“We need real answers and not excuses and deflections,” Jaime Gomez, Gomez-Salais’ dad, said after the verdict.
Fuller claimed the theme park had admitted fault.
More than 900,000 people visit Oaks Amusement Park every year — and it opened for its 121st season in March.
