In what started as a day of thrills and excitement, visitors at The Oaks Amusement Park in Portland, Oregon, experienced sheer terror when the "AtmosFEAR" ride suddenly malfunctioned. What was meant to be an adrenaline-pumping experience turned into a nightmare as 28 riders found themselves suspended upside down for nearly half an hour, hanging on to life and hope.
Friday afternoon seemed like the perfect time for a visit to one of Portland’s most beloved amusement parks. Families, teenagers, and thrill-seekers alike flocked to The Oaks Amusement Park, unaware that their day of fun was about to take a terrifying twist. At approximately 2:55 p.m., the AtmosFEAR ride—known for its heart-stopping 360-degree swings—abruptly halted at its highest point. Instead of the quick flip and swoop the riders were expecting, they were left dangling, upside down, in a horrifying and helpless state.
For those trapped in the air, the 25 to 30 minutes they spent upside down felt like an eternity. Panic set in as riders realized something had gone horribly wrong. The usual thrills and laughter were replaced by tears and prayers. One of the riders, a Portland teenager, Jordan Harding, later recounted her experience: “We were just freaking out. People were crying. They were just putting into the universe what they wanted to say for their last words.
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The physical discomfort was almost unbearable, with Harding describing how her lower body went numb from being in such an unnatural position. “My entire waist below was asleep. It was hard and terrifying,” she said. Another rider, Daniel Allen, expressed a deep sense of fear and disbelief, “When you get stuck up there, you don’t think you’re coming back down.”
As soon as the ride malfunctioned, Oaks Park staff acted quickly, initiating emergency procedures and contacting 911.
Within minutes, Portland Fire & Rescue teams arrived on the scene, ready to handle what could have turned into a catastrophic situation. With the expertise and calmness of seasoned professionals, they manually lowered the ride, bringing the trapped riders back to the ground one by one.
For the riders, the moment their feet touched the ground was one of overwhelming relief. Harding, in a moment of sheer gratitude, hugged the firefighter who had helped her down. “Such a relieving feeling,” she said.
“There was a moment not that long ago that I didn’t think I would stand on the ground again.”
Following the incident, The Oaks Amusement Park issued a statement expressing their deep concern and gratitude for the swift response from first responders. The AtmosFEAR ride, which had been in operation since 2021 without any prior incidents, has been shut down pending a full investigation.
The park is working closely with the ride’s manufacturer and state inspectors to determine what caused the malfunction and to ensure such a terrifying event does not happen again.
The park has also offered refunds or rescheduled visits for those whose day was cut short by the incident. While no severe injuries were reported, one rider with pre-existing health conditions was transported to the hospital as a precaution.
The incident has left the Portland community and visitors in shock.
How could a ride, designed to thrill, turn into such a harrowing experience? As investigations continue, there is a growing concern over the safety protocols in place at amusement parks. While the swift response from emergency services is commendable, the question on everyone’s mind remains—how did this happen, and could it happen again?
Have you ever experienced a ride malfunction or witnessed an amusement park incident? How does this make you feel about the safety of thrill rides? Share your thoughts and stories in the comments below.
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