Emergency crews in Oregon sprang into action on Friday to rescue 28 people who were trapped upside down high on a ride at a century-old amusement park. The incident occurred at Oaks Park when the ride, known as AtmosFEAR, malfunctioned, leaving riders suspended in mid-air for about half an hour.
Portland Fire and Rescue, in collaboration with engineers at Oaks Park, worked diligently to manually lower the ride, ensuring the safety of all passengers. In preparation for any eventuality, crews were also ready to perform a high-angle ropes rescue if needed. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and all riders were successfully evacuated and assessed by medical professionals.
Oaks Amusement Park released a statement on social media, confirming that one rider with a pre-existing medical condition was taken to the hospital for further evaluation as a precautionary measure. However, all other passengers were released by medics after thorough examination.
The AtmosFEAR ride, which operates like a pendulum and has the capability to swing riders completely upside down, left more than two dozen people in recovery after the harrowing experience. Ride operators promptly called 911 and initiated emergency procedures as soon as the malfunction occurred.
First responders, including Portland Fire & Rescue, arrived swiftly at the scene to ensure the safety of the stranded riders. Within minutes, all individuals were safely removed from the ride and returned to solid ground.
Oaks Park has assured the public that they will conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the malfunction to prevent any future occurrences and ensure the continued enjoyment and safety of park visitors.
