The grieving family of a 14-year-old boy who tragically died after falling from a 430ft ride in an amusement park in Florida has reached a settlement.
It was on March 24 last year when Tyre Sampson visited the ICON Park on International Drive. He went to Orlando from St. Louis because of a football program and had decided to ride the Orlando Free-Fall ride.
The 430ft ride just opened in December 2021 and was described as ‘the world’s tallest free-standing drop tower.’
The attraction tilts guests 30 degrees forward before dropping them at over 70mph.
But at around 11pm that night, Tyre fell from the ride and even though he was rushed to a hospital, he tragically died due to multiple injuries.
According to the accident report, Tyre came out of the seat after the ride’s ‘magnets engaged’ but it added that the teen’s ‘harness was still in a down and locked position when the ride stopped.
Last year, the attorney of his grieving family revealed the autopsy findings: “The report also confirms that he was 74 inches tall and he weighed 383 pounds — and 383 pounds is 97 pounds higher than what the maximum requirements were for this ride.”
The attorney continued: “So if the ride would have implemented their own safety requirements, not allowing anyone more than 286 pounds to ride this dangerous ride, Tyre would’ve never been on the ride, he would be with us here today.”
Tyre’s parents filed a wrongful death lawsuit against ICON Park, ride manufacturer Fun Time Thrill Rides, the SlingShot Group (the owner of the ride), and Gerstlauer Amusement Rides, which manufactured the harnesses and seats.
Attorneys Kimberly Wald and Michael Haggard of the Haggard Law Firm have now revealed that a settlement had been reached but further details have not been disclosed.
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