Jakarta, ThedailyID — Two teenage girls in the United States have been awarded a combined US$550,000, or around Rp9.7 billion, after becoming trapped upside down on an amusement park ride in Portland, Oregon.
A local jury awarded Xitlali Gomez-Salais and Evie Yannotta US$275,000 each on August 19, 2026. The two were 13 and 14 years old when the incident happened in June 2024.
The girls were riding the AtmosFEAR at Oaks Amusement Park when the ride suffered a technical malfunction. Around 30 passengers were left hanging upside down approximately 30 meters above the ground for nearly 30 minutes.
Rescuers eventually took manual control of the system and safely brought all passengers back to the ground.
The experience led to a lawsuit against Oaks Amusement Park and ride manufacturer Zamperla. The teenagers initially sought a combined US$2 million in damages, citing physical injuries, psychological trauma and alleged negligence over safety and maintenance.
The park said it was relieved that all passengers were safely evacuated without fatalities.
“Safety is our top priority, and we will continue working with the ride manufacturer and state inspectors to ensure the safety of our guests,” Oaks Amusement Park said in an official statement, Thursday (27/08).
The victims’ families said the lawsuit was intended to seek accountability following the incident.
“We filed this lawsuit to seek accountability and justice,” a family member of one of the victims said.
The case underscores the potential consequences amusement park operators can face when ride safety and maintenance come under scrutiny.
