28 PEOPLE RESCUED AFTER BEING TRAPPED UPSIDE DOWN ON AMUSEMENT PARK RIDE

Matt Case - June 17th, 2024 - 7:52am PDT 

28 Rescued After Being Trapped Upside Down on Amusement Park Ride

PORTLAND, Ore. — Twenty-eight amusement park goers experienced a harrowing ordeal on Sunday when they were left hanging upside down for approximately 25 minutes on a ride at an Oregon park.

The incident occurred on the "AtmosFEAR" ride at the Portland Thrills Amusement Park. Riders were left suspended in their seats when the ride abruptly malfunctioned mid-air. Witnesses described the scene as chaotic, with cries for help echoing through the park as onlookers watched in alarm.

Emergency responders from the Portland Fire Department swiftly arrived at the scene. Fortunately, the department's specialized training for emergencies on this particular ride played a crucial role in the rescue operation. Within minutes, all 28 riders were safely brought back to the ground. No serious injuries were reported, though many described the experience as deeply distressing.

One of the riders, 16-year-old Daniel Allen, shared his perspective on the frightening incident. “I was terrified. I just kept thinking, ‘Are we going to fall?’ But the firefighters were amazing—they got us down safely and quickly,” Allen said.

Portland Fire Department officials later confirmed that their team had been trained specifically for potential emergencies involving the AtmosFEAR ride, which was instrumental in their prompt and efficient response. Fire Chief Laura Jenkins praised her team’s quick action and the preparedness that allowed for the successful rescue.

“Training and readiness for situations like this are critical,” Jenkins said. “Our team's swift and effective response ensured that everyone was safely rescued and received immediate care.”

Portland Thrills Amusement Park has temporarily closed the AtmosFEAR ride and is conducting a thorough investigation into the cause of the malfunction. Park officials expressed relief that all riders were safely rescued and assured the public that they are taking all necessary steps to ensure such incidents do not occur in the future.

The park remains open, with enhanced safety checks being implemented across all rides as a precautionary measure.