Parents sue after death of teen from Florida drop-tower ride
Free Fall Ride Vigil Orlando Family members and friends of Tyre Sampson leave items during a vigil in front of the Orlando Free Fall drop tower in ICON Park in Orlando on Monday, March 28, 2022. Sampson, 14, was killed when he fell from the ride late Thursday evening. While most free-fall rides have a shoulder harness and a seatbelt, the Orlando Free Fall ride had only an over-the-shoulder harness. Spokespeople for the ride's owner, Orlando Slingshot, and landlord, ICON Park, didn't immediately have comment on the lawsuit. The Orlando Free Fall ride, which is taller than the Statue of Liberty, didn’t experience any electrical or mechanical failures, the report said.
wftv.comSensors were adjusted on ride where teen fell to death
Free Fall Ride Vigil Orlando Heart-shaped balloons drift under the seats of the Orlando Free Fall drop tower in ICON Park in Orlando during a vigil at the ride on Monday, March 28, 2022. The average opening for restraints on the seats on the 430-foot (131-meter), free-fall amusement park ride located in the heart of Orlando's tourist district was 3.3 inches (8.3 centimeters). An inspection of the seats showed that sensors used to activate safety lights on the two seats, indicating the harness safety restraints were in place, had been adjusted to allow for the wider openings, the report said. “The cause of the subject accident was that Tyre Sampson was not properly secured in the seat primarily due to mis-adjustment of the harness proximity sensors,” said the report from Quest Engineering and Failure Analysis, Inc. The Orlando FreeFall ride, which is taller than the Statue of Liberty, didn't experience any electrical or mechanical failure, the report said.
wftv.comOrange County Mayor responds to requests to have Free Fall ride removed following teen’s death
ORLANDO, Fla. — The demands for the Orlando Free Fall attraction to be torn down are growing louder by the day. READ: State lawmakers target Disney as tensions mountThere are now several petitions circulating asking for the ride to be removed. Slingshot, the company that owns the ride, won’t say whether or not they’ll take it down. Full Statement: https://t.co/z5sdQo0O7g — Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings (@OCFLMayor) March 25, 2022Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings says he sincerely believes Slingshot is remorseful about what happened. A makeshift memorial with pictures, candles, and footballs sits in front of the ride, along with demands to remove the ride.
wftv.com9 things to know about the Orlando FreeFall at ICON Park
ORLANDO, Fla. — Here are nine things to know about the Orlando FreeFall at ICON Park. The ride is located at ICON Park on International Drive. The ride vehicle rotates around the tower and rises high into the skyline. READ: What should happen to the Orlando FreeFall at ICON Park following teen’s death? Once the ride vehicle reaches the top, it tilts forward 30 degrees.
wftv.comWhat should happen to the Orlando FreeFall at ICON Park following teen’s death?
ORLANDO, Fla. — There is growing debate over what should happen to the Orlando FreeFall at ICON Park on International Drive. Teen dies after falling from Orlando ride (WFTV.com News Staff)It’s unclear what will happen with the ride, but many are calling for it to be shut down. READ: Safety expert: ‘I have serious concerns’ about harness in teen’s death on Orlando FreeFall“In honor of his family and the tragic loss of a young man. READ: Lawyer for Sampson family demands answers, says video proves teen was not secured in rideThey’re preparing to file a lawsuit. READ: Family of teen killed during free fall ride at ICON Park retains high-profile attorneysIt is cooperating with investigators to figure out what went wrong.
wftv.comDid teen's big size factor in Florida amusement ride death?
Amusement Park Death Florida The Wheel and Orlando Free Fall ride at ICON Park is shown on Friday, March 25, 2022 in Orlando, Fla. A 14-year-old boy fell to his death from a ride at an amusement park in Orlando, sheriff's officials said. The boy fell from the Orlando Free Fall ride, which opened late last year. Lawyers for his family want to know if negligence about his size, or other factors, played a role. The Icon Park attraction said in a statement it is fully cooperating with investigators and that the Orlando FreeFall ride will be closed indefinitely. We extend our condolences and deepest sympathy to his family and friends," said a statement from the SlingShot Group, which operates the ride.
wftv.comDid teen's big size factor in Florida amusement ride death?
Amusement Park Death Florida The Wheel and Orlando Free Fall ride at ICON Park is shown on Friday, March 25, 2022 in Orlando, Fla. A 14-year-old boy fell to his death from a ride at an amusement park in Orlando, sheriff's officials said. The boy fell from the Orlando Free Fall ride, which opened late last year. Lawyers for his family want to know if negligence about his size, or other factors, played a role. The Icon Park attraction said in a statement it is fully cooperating with investigators and that the Orlando FreeFall ride will be closed indefinitely. We extend our condolences and deepest sympathy to his family and friends," said a statement from the SlingShot Group, which operates the ride.
wftv.comAttorneys Ben Crump, Bob Hilliard hired by family of teen who fell to his death from Orlando thrill ride
Attorneys Ben Crump and Bob Hilliard have been hired on retainer to represent the family of Tyre Sampson, 14, who fell to his death Thursday night from the Orlando Free Fall at ICON Park, according to a news release from Ben Crump Law and Hilliard Martinez Gonzales.
Attorneys Ben Crump, Bob Hilliard hired by family of teen who fell to his death from Orlando thrill ride
Attorneys Ben Crump and Bob Hilliard have been hired on retainer to represent the family of Tyre Sampson, 14, who fell to his death Thursday night from the Orlando Free Fall at ICON Park, according to a news release.
Documents shed light on inspections and construction of Orlando free fall ride
ORLANDO, Fla. — Rides like the Orlando FreeFall — where a teenager tragically fell to his death — are subjected to inspections by the state’s Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The department is responsible for inspecting all amusement park rides in Florida, except for those at large parks that have more than 1,000 employees and full-time employees. The free fall thrill ride had only been in operation for a few months before the tragedy. READ: Boy, 14, dies after falling from FreeFall ride at ICON Park in OrlandoState law requires daily inspections, which ride spokesman John Stine said the company was doing. Most of the minimum requirements for amusement park rides are set by the ASTM International.
wftv.comTeen falls to death from Florida amusement park ride
Amusement Park Death Florida ICON Park attractions, The Wheel, left, Orlando SlingShot, middle, and Orlando FreeFall, right, are shown in Orlando, Fla., on Thursday, March 24, 2022. A 14-year-old boy fell to his death from a ride at an amusement park in Orlando, sheriff's officials said. The boy fell from the Orlando Free Fall ride, which opened late last year. Sheriff's officials and emergency crews responded to a call late Thursday at Icon Park, which is located in the city's tourist district along International Drive. “We will see moving forward what that results in.”Sampson was taken to a hospital, where he died, sheriff's officials said.
wftv.comTeen falls to death from Florida amusement park ride
Amusement Park Death Florida ICON Park attractions, The Wheel, left, Orlando SlingShot, middle, and Orlando FreeFall, right, are shown in Orlando, Fla., on Thursday, March 24, 2022. A 14-year-old boy fell to his death from a ride at an amusement park in Orlando, sheriff's officials said. The boy fell from the Orlando Free Fall ride, which opened late last year. The Free Fall ride and an adjacent ride, the Sling Shot, have been closed indefinitely, Stine said. Stine said there had been no issues reported previously with the Free Fall ride, which opened over the holidays.
wftv.comBREAKING: Boy, 14, dies after falling from ‘Free Fall’ ride at ICON Park, deputies say
ORLANDO, Fla. — A teenager died Thursday night after falling from an amusement ride at ICON Park in Orlando, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office said. Deputies responded to ICON Park along the 8400 block of International Drive shortly after 11 p.m. after receiving a 911 emergency call. Once on scene, they learned from witnesses that someone had fallen from the “Free Fall” attraction. Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 16 Orlando Free Fall death (WFTV.com News Staff)The sheriff’s office said the rider, age 14, was transported to a hospital where he died from his injuries. Orlando Free Fall death (WFTV.com News Staff)Watch live updates on Eyewitness News beginning at 4:30 a.m. and monitor WFTV.com for the latest on this developing story.
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