Artegon Marketplace reopens after death at ropes course attraction

Officials: Robert Belvoir fell 30 feet from Sky Trail ride

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando shopping mall where a man fell 30 feet to his death reopened its doors on Friday following the Christmas holiday.

State inspectors were expected to visit the Sky Trail ropes course, which is inside Artegon Marketplace on International Drive.

On Wednesday, authorities said Robert Belvoir, 52, was at the highest point of the attraction when his harness somehow broke loose. He fell 30 feet and hit the cement floor.

Belvoir was rushed to Dr. Phillips Hospital but later died from his injuries, according to authorities.

Family members said Belvoir was at the attraction with his 25-year-old daughter, a graduate of the University of Central Florida.

"I think we mostly felt for the daughter. We were trying to calm her down," said Gerald Wallens, Artegon shop owner. "She was just really in shock. You can't accept that something like that just happened."

Belvoir's daughter completed the course right before her father and then witnessed him plummet to the cement floor, officials said.

"As soon as I heard the screaming," said Marcio Boechat, who witnessed the accident.  "I thought, my god, what happened."

Local 6 was told by family members that Belvoir and his daughter were at Sky Trail celebrating Christmas one day early because she wanted to spend Christmas Day with her boyfriend.

Sky Trail posted a statement on their Facebook page, which stated:

"We express our deepest condolences to the family of Robert Belvoir. We are cooperating with all investigations of the incident that took place (Wednesday) evening."

The mall was closed Thursday for the Christmas holiday. The owner of Sky Trail said the ropes course won't reopen until they find out what caused the accident.

There's an investigation going on now with Orlando police and the Florida Department of Agriculture. Officials didn't comment on anything else. The owner said his thoughts and prayers go out to the family.

While it's unknown what caused the harness to loosen, Wallens said he thinks further safety measures should have been in place.

"I think that a safety net is something that should definitely be there, because really there's no reason not to," Wallens said.

Local 6 contacted the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to ask about what exactly inspectors will be investigating, but have not responded.


About the Authors:

Mark Lehman became a News 6 reporter in July 2014, but he's been a Central Florida journalist and part of the News 6 team for much longer. While most people are fast asleep in their bed, Mark starts his day overnight by searching for news on the streets of Central Florida.

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