Teen dies in FreeFall drop - how did it happen?

Tyre Sampson died on when he plummeted to his death from the FreeFall attraction at ICON Park, while visiting from Missouri on spring break.

Orlando FreeFall sits among other “giants,” like The Wheel and The Orlando StarFlyer. Orlando FreeFall is billed as the world’s tallest free-standing drop tower, taller than the Statue of Liberty.

Orlando FreeFall’s operation manual states the maximum weight is 286 pounds. Tyre Sampson was 383 pounds, nearly 100 pounds over the weight limit of the attraction, according to an autopsy report.

His family is currently pursuing a lawsuit against numerous defendants, including the manufacturer, the owner/operator of the ride, and the amusement park. They are currently seeking to dismantle the ride.

#Orlando #ICONPark #TyreSampson #ThemePark

[spg]

Terrible tragedy. No other way to say it. But I don't think the solution is to tear it down but rather to strictly enforce the weight limits etc.

[terminatorverse]

I'm sorry I really feel for the boy I really do. But the negligence is almost laughable. How did it happen?! Clearly he was too big for the seat. The limit was 286 lbs and he was 383 lbs, well and truly over that limit. This is why we have height and weight restrictions, guys! And that worker should def be held liable. Don't assume the seat's secure just because the damn lights are on. Follow bloody procedures!

[MrKornnugget]

They will most likely sell it and move it, paint it green and open it at a Six Flags.

[BIaZeDaSHeLL]

This is what happens when u allow young kids to be operators and they just relay on checking a light instead of using there eyes n brains to see he was not properly secured

[tank]

This 14 year old was 340 pounds and 6’4”. He was to big for the ride. May he RIP.

[spg]

Having said that clearly there is culpability here on the part of the Park Operators at the top. The ones who make the decisions on what rules are out in place.

[zaquiersmith]

They should of told him he was to big or they had a weight limit

[CorgiaiLover]

Falcons fury had to close down and add seatbelts to prevent someone getting killed, I rode on the ride when it first opened and almost fell out just like this boy did .

[audiraramirez]

The light was never on😒 I saw the it back then and all the lights of the seat was on except his seat. So he wasn’t safe. RIP

[jelly]

tragic, I’m sorry for you kid, up above you might be watching, even people who has never met this person, random people even care about the poor teenager. R I P tyre sampson

[Catlover]

They should have denied him to ride because of his size… but they were probably intimidated that if they did, there would be a scene made accusing the park of racial discrimination…

[falcorthewonderdog]

Why do creators pick obnoxious back ground music?

[Unshippedpaper]

I'm very suspicious about worker 2 & 3.. On the photos the safety mechanisms was clearly not engaged. I can see it with just one look at it. If the workers really did their due diligence and checked the seats properly it is beyond me how they could have missed that.. to me it seems like 2 teens on a side job just didn't care enough about safety or were just lazy because nothing ever happens, right? wrong.
After the incident they probably lied to save their hides. That's just what I think though.. I allege

[StxrVRR]

I feel so bad for him and his mother send prayers tord the family 🙏🙏✝️

[tommybullard]

how did it happen... kid was to big for the ride in the first place and was told that when they purchased the tickets. Second he was told when he sat down on the chair that the restraint wasn't going down correctly.. that is how it happened. They insisted that he be able to ride. but now the family wants to cry wolf and have the ride distroyed because he fell out and died... WRONG. now the ride is gone and there wasn't a problem period with it till he got on it.

[A.Gamer-jitj]

Thats Why I Don't Go to Amusement Parks That Much

[madtrucker]

Nothing wrong with the ride and when used correctly there is no need for seatbelts. If people that actually understood how the ride worked before making uneducated comments they would shut up.

[MyGman]

The creator of the YouTube Channel Midway Mayhem, was the daily inspector of this ride! Yet he just continues on with his everyday life! I hope he gets sued for his lack of safety with this ride! Also the park has Falsified all the training records!

This is what happens when the park hires a YouTuber to handle its maintenance! I’m still waiting to find out which member of the team adjusted seats 1 and 2. Dan Leavelle if you Google his name you will see the articles confirming his involvement with the ride and park! He also deleted 4 hours of content from his channel around him running the free fall.

[MrDadumbo]

If I’m 6, 5 300lb. I’m not getting on one of those. Vice versa, if you’re a ride operator, you should of been taking of the kid danger

[scootermom]

They should take down the ride simply out of respect for this kid's parents. I don't think it's right for them to leave it up after what happened.