28 people were trapped face down for more than 20 minutes after an amusement park ride in Oregon malfunctioned.
On Friday, the AtmosFEAR attraction stopped operating at Oaks Amusement Park in Portland around 2:55 p.m., according to a statement issued by the amusement park on x.
“Oaks Park staff immediately initiated emergency procedures and called 911,” the statement said. ‘Emergency services arrived at approximately 3.20pm.
After medical evaluation by paramedics, all riders were released from the park except one. This person, who had pre-existing medical conditions, was taken to the hospital as a precaution.
Daniel Allen and Jordan Harding, recent high school graduates, told local NBC affiliate KGW They were celebrating their recent achievement at the amusement park, and AtmosFEAR was the first attraction on their list.
28 people were trapped face down for more than 20 minutes after an amusement park ride malfunctioned.
‘People were crying. They were just putting out into the universe what they wanted to say in their last words,” said Jordan Harding, a recent high school graduate who was celebrating her achievement in the park.
“I was excited to continue,” Allen told the news station. “When you’re stuck up there, I guess you’re not as excited anymore.”
Harding said he had a feeling something was wrong with the machine when they were hanging upside down for a few seconds longer than they should have been.
“We were freaking out,” he said. ‘People were crying. They were simply putting out into the universe what they wanted to say in their last words.’
She also said that being suspended face down began to feel uncomfortable as blood ran from her waist to her head.
‘That position is very physically uncomfortable. My whole waist underneath was asleep,” she told the station.
Harding showed his appreciation for the fire department by hugging the first responder who saved his life.
“What a comforting feeling,” he said. ‘I’m standing on the ground right now. There was a time not long ago when I thought that would never happen again.”
Oaks Park’s AtmosFEAR is a popular giant pendulum attraction that offers 180 or 360 degree swings.
Pictured: First responders arrive at Oaks Park for a ride that is stuck with several riders in Portland.
AtmosFEAR will be closed while the park investigates the cause with the ride manufacturer and state inspectors.
This “spectacular extreme attraction” began operating in 2021 with an impeccable safety record, according to the park.
The park emphasizes that its standard emergency response plan worked well during Friday’s malfunction.
AtmosFEAR will be closed while the park investigates the cause with the ride manufacturer and state inspectors.