Emergency crews in Oregon successfully rescued 28 people on Friday after they were left hanging upside down for about half an hour on a ride at the historic Oaks Amusement Park. The incident occurred on the AtmosFEAR ride, which has been operational since 2021 without prior incidents.
Emergency Response and Rescue Efforts
Portland Fire and Rescue reported on the social platform X that firefighters collaborated with engineers at Oaks Park to manually lower the ride. Although prepared for a high-angle ropes rescue, it wasn’t necessary as the ride was safely brought down. The evacuation process included medical evaluations for all riders, and fortunately, no injuries were reported. One rider with a pre-existing medical condition was taken to a hospital for further evaluation as a precaution, according to a statement from Oaks Amusement Park. The rest of the passengers were released after being medically assessed by on-site medics.
Riders’ Accounts and Medical Evaluations
Rider Daniel Allen shared his ordeal with CBS News affiliate KION, describing it as “just crazy.” He mentioned physical discomfort, including bladder pain and leg aches, due to the prolonged upside-down position. Jordan Harding, another rider, recounted the panic among passengers, stating that people were “praying to God, screaming for their life, throwing up, passing out,” while they awaited rescue. Lavina Waters, a witness to the incident, described the scene to KION: “The ride went up, the kids got stuck on the ride and they were just dangling. And somebody came in and said ‘Hey, the kids are stuck on the ride’ and I looked up, and sure enough, they were stuck on the ride.”
Park’s Safety Measures
Following the ride’s abrupt halt, park staff immediately contacted emergency services. The first responders arrived approximately 25 minutes later, and park maintenance crews managed to return the ride to its unloading position shortly after their arrival. The park confirmed that the AtmosFEAR ride will remain closed until further notice. Jon Harrell, a spokesperson for Portland Fire and Rescue, noted that the rescue team had specifically trained for such incidents on the AtmosFEAR ride as recently as last year. This familiarity likely contributed to the swift and effective rescue operation.
Steps for the Future
The amusement park expressed gratitude to the first responders and their staff for their prompt actions, which led to a positive outcome. They also thanked the park guests for quickly vacating the area to allow emergency responders to manage the situation. Oaks Park, which first opened in 1905, blends modern thrills with historic charm, offering a unique experience to its visitors. The park has pledged to work closely with the ride’s manufacturer and state inspectors to determine the cause of the malfunction and ensure future safety.
In a statement, the park said, “We wish to express our deepest appreciation to the first responders and our staff for taking prompt action, leading to a positive outcome today, and to the rest of the park guests who swiftly followed directions to vacate the park to make way for the emergency responders to attend to the situation.”