Officials say a 14-year-old Missouri kid was killed after he fell from a 430-foot-tall thrill ride at an amusement park along a busy thoroughfare in the center of Orlando’s tourist zone late at night, according to authorities.
A report came in late Thursday night at Icon Park, which is situated in the city’s tourism hub along International Drive. Deputies from the Sheriff’s Office and emergency personnel responded. The youngster was injured after he fell from the Orlando Free Fall rollercoaster, which launched in late 2017.
Tyre Sampson, a kid from Missouri who was staying with a friend’s family in central Florida, was recognized by Orange County Sheriff John Mina on Friday, according to the newspaper. According to the sheriff, detectives who are investigating the tragedy will look into whether it was a deliberate or an accidental killing.
“It looks to be a horrible catastrophe,” Mina expressed her dismay. “We’ll have to wait and see what the outcome is in the future.”
Sampson was rushed to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead, according to sheriff’s authorities. There were no more information provided about the adolescent or the event at the time of publication.
The video, which was captured by witnesses and depicted the fatal fall, began spreading on social media early Friday morning.
It seems that passengers on the journey were discussing difficulties with their seat restraints on Thursday night, according to a footage shown on the “Today” program on NBC on Friday morning. After then, the ride resumed its ascent up the tower, and it was subsequently seen that someone had fallen from the ride.
“Yes, it is correct (he was secured in the seat). That’s all we know for the time being. To reiterate, we run the ride with all safety procedures in mind, and everything is in working order, which is why we’re looking into the matter “According to CBS Miami, John Stine, sales director for the Slingshot Group, which owns the attraction, said that the ride is “awesome.”
The following statement was issued by Stine to the Associated Press: “We are profoundly grieved and horrified by what has transpired, and our thoughts and prayers are with this young man’s family.”
According to Stine, the Free Fall ride, as well as a neighboring attraction, the Sling Shot, have been suspended permanently. His firm is responsible for the operation of the two attractions at Icon Park.
Despite its height, the 430-foot-tall rollercoaster, which is marketed as the world’s biggest free-standing drop tower, is just 11 feet shorter than Orlando’s tallest structure, the SunTrust skyscraper.
In order to get to the bottom of what occurred, Stine stated, “we are working with all other inquiries at this moment.” Stine said that there had been no prior reports of problems with the Free Fall attraction, which had been operating since the holidays.
According to the police, employees and witnesses who were examined by them said that everything looked to be as it should have been.
“Everything seemed to be in working order and normal,” Mina said.
Ben Crump and Bob Hilliard, both attorneys, said on Saturday that they would represent the teen’s father and mother, respectively, in the legal proceedings. “An honor roll student, an ambitious athlete, and a kind-hearted guy who cared for others,” according to Crump, Sampson was described as.
According to Hilliard, “Families have a right to anticipate that these national theme parks, which generate millions of dollars annually, will keep their children safe and will prioritize their children’s safety above all else.” As he slid out of his unsecured harness and tumbled aimlessly towards his own death, Tyre, a 14-year-old boy, must have felt unfathomable dread.
In an email, a spokesperson for the Florida Department of Agriculture said that an investigation has been launched, and that inspectors were on the scene Friday. The Florida Department of Agriculture is in charge of amusement ride inspections, with the exception of those at the state’s largest theme parks.
According to the website, the attraction carries 30 guests as it climbs in the air, turns around the tower, and then tilts to face the earth before free falling at speeds of more than 75 mph (120 kph), according to the website.
During the ride, passengers are restrained by over-the-shoulder restraint straps with two hand grips at the chest level, which they draw down before being released automatically at the conclusion of the attraction.