A group of 28 riders aboard the AtmosFEAR attraction at the Oaks Amusement Park in Portland, Oregon, Friday were suspended upside down when the pendulum ride stalled.
It was the first day of the summer season for the 119-year-old park, Oregon’s oldest.
The ride stopped at the apex position at 2:55 p.m., Oaks Park said in a Facebook post. The park then went into emergency response protocols, and other guests evacuated the park.
Portland Fire & Rescue reached the park and was ready if needed to perform a high-angle rope rescue.
Park staff with the aid of firefighters manually overrode the system and got the ride back on the ground nine minutes later, Portland fire officials said in a news release.
All of the riders were medically evaluated on the ground, with one taken to the hospital for further observation, Portland fire officials said.
“My entire bladder hurts. I was holding back throw up. My legs are killing me,” one of the riders, Daniel Allen, 17, told Portland CBS affiliate KOIN.
Another rider, Jordan Harding, 18, said, “People praying to God, screaming for their life, throwing up, passing out. It was bad.”
The AtmosFEAR ride, which has 180 degree and 360 degree modes, had operated without incident since 2021, Oaks Park officials said. It has been shut down indefinitely, and the park is working with the ride’s unspecified manufacturers and state officials to find out why the ride stopped in the apex position.
“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. Most of all, we are thankful that the riders are safe and with their families,” the park said.
• Brad Matthews can be reached at bmatthews@washingtontimes.com.