Tyre Sampson, 14, plunged to his death from the Free Fall ride at Orlando's ICON Park on March 24. 'The ride will be closed for the foreseeable future and will not re-open until all questions are answered as part of the ongoing FDACS investigation,' the report said. Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has statewide responsibility to inspect all amusement rides in Florida, except for those at large parks that have more than 1,000 employees and have full-time inspectors on staff. After falling off the ride, one person is heard in the video asking, "Did you check him?" "Yeah. ", The Associated Press contributed to this report, First published on March 29, 2022 / 4:53 PM. 2. He went to ICON Park on. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Park employees say they initially thought his body was a piece of the ride that had broken off until they saw the boy lying on the ground. Tyre and the rest of the group had been told moments earlier that there were no seatbelts on the ride. A growing memorial tonight for 14-year-old Tyre Sampson. And the pain behind it could never be taken away, and sorry's not gonna take it back and no monies, no nothing in the world to replace the young man.". We are no longer accepting comments on this article. An accident report from the state showed the ride did not malfunction. I want answers from everybody. ICON Park is committed to being a place where families can spend quality time together in a safe and fun space," they said. Dodd and Yarnell Sampson, Tyre's father, filed the . "This is going to be an issue of a lack of supervision and lack of training. The swing ride opened to the public in 2018. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, which oversees amusement ride inspections with the exception of the state's largest theme parks, has launched an investigation and inspectors were at the site Friday, spokesperson Caroline Stoneciper said in an email. Click here for the latest Central Florida news, Florida stories, and local headlines. Tyre Sampson identified as teen who fell to death on Florida amusement park ride. He has a B.A. Tyre Sampson, 14, was visiting from St. Louis, Missouri, when he fell from the Orlando Free Fall ride at ICON Park just after 11pm, according to the Orange County Sheriff's Office. SlingShot Group said last week, "We are heartbroken with the incident that took the life of one of our guests. The lawsuit said the defendants failed to warn Sampson about the risks of someone of his size going on the ride and that they did not provide an appropriate restraint system. According to reports, a teenage boy passed away after falling from an amusement - park ride Thursday in Orlando said authorities. Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group, The RUTHLESS underbelly of a celeb fitness empire: Ex-employees of Gwyneth Paltrow's longtime trainer Tracy Anderson reveal toxic culture of paranoia, legal threats, and grueling conditions, The trouble with AI: Microsoft Bing's AI chatbot tells reporter it wants to be HUMAN, engineer a deadly pandemic and steal nuclear codes in VERY concerning two-hour chat, ISIS leader Hamza al-Hosi is killed in helicopter raid in Syria that left four US service members and a dog wounded, Cases of DOG FLU erupt across America - as experts say pets should be quarantined and even VACCINATED to prevent its spread, 'Trust the government': EPA boss says he WOULD allow his children to drink and bathe in East Palestine water - after Ohio senator JD Vance challenged him to drink it and shared video of 'toxic water', Norfolk Southern incidents involving hazardous materials have rocketed nearly SIX-FOLD in 10 years - after firm in Ohio derailment increased train sizes by 20%, cut staff by 40% and fought new safety measures, Republican Sen. Marco Rubio demands Pete Buttigieg RESIGN in letter to Biden over his 'gross level of incompetence and apathy' in response to the Ohio train disaster, DAVID MARCUS: The Gray Lady grows a spine! Sampson was taken to a hospital, where he died, sheriff's officials said. ORLANDO, Fla. A Missouri teenager died of blunt force trauma after falling from a 430-foot Florida drop-tower amusement park ride, according to an autopsy released Monday. Tyre Sampson, 14, died after he fell off a ride at ICON Park in Orlando. The operations manual for Orlando FreeFall, the drop tower ride at ICON Park where a 14-year-old boy died last week after he seemingly fell out of the ride's restraints, indicates that the boy exceeded the ride's weight restrictions. Photo Twitter Dodd . He went to ICON Park on Thursday. Since Thursday nights tragedy, there has been a developing effort to scapegoat the attendants and other employees manning the ride while absolving Funtime Thrill Rides and the operator of its amusement rides, the Slingshot Group of Companies, of any criminal liability. The next semi-annual inspection for the ride wasn't due for several more months. 14-year-old, Tyre Sampson, died when he fell from the 430ft (131m) ride that recently opened at Orlando's ICON Park in Florida on Thursday https://t.co/7ntMSJ4TkS. On the internet, a frightening video of his tragic death has surfaced. A memorial to Tyre Sampson was started outside the perimeter of the ride where he tragically fell sustaining injuries that led to his death. Tyre Sampson, a Missouri middle school football player who at 14 was already 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighed more than 300 pounds, died after falling from a drop tower ride in Florida. The post Autopsy confirms Tyre Sampson, who fell to his death, exceeded park ride's weight limit by 96 pounds appeared first on TheGrio. Tyres grieving father, Yarnell Sampson, said that his son began to panic as the ride began to operate as he instantly sensed something was wrong with his seat restraint. An 8th grade middle schooler and aspiring pro athlete attending City Garden Montessori from Berkeley, Missouri, Tyre Sampson was visiting Orlando to train with his football team and coaches. A field report from Quest Engineering and Failure Analysis Inc., based in Tallahassee, said Tyre slipped through a gap between the seat and an over-the-shoulder harness that lowers over riders' torsos. "My heart is so heavy right my grandson Tyre Sampson just passed away he had just got accepted to East Side High School he had so so so many plans this is unbelievable this gotta be a dream He . Nikki Fried, commissioner of the state's Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, said Monday that a forensic engineering firm determined the ride's operator "made manual adjustments to the ride resulting in it being unsafe.". ", SlingShot Group, which operates the Orlando ride and did not immediately return PEOPLE's request for comment, told CBS News in a statement, "We are heartbroken with the incident that took the life of one of our guests. For him to lose his life. He died at the hospital. When the magnets engaged the patron came out of the seat. The teen was taken to hospital but succumbed to his injuries, Orange County Sheriffs Office confirmed. There was a lot of support from all over the world. When the ride took off, thats when he was feeling uncomfortable, Yarnell said. A side angle shows Tyre Sampson in his seat on the drop . The incident happened just before 11 p.m. An attorney for the rides owner, Orlando Slingshot, has said the company is cooperating with state investigators into what happened. Check that they fit within the contours of the seat and the bracket fits properly. ", "ICON Park is committed to providing a safe, fun experience for families," the statement said. 25, 2022, 5:42 p.m. . Determining if operator error was a factor is only the initial stage of the investigation, Fried said, noting there are many other factors that may have potentially contributed. 'There ain't no seatbelts,' the ride attendant replied. He is now shown in these images, he was sitting on the other side of the carousel when it ascended. "During our investigation, two individuals were positioned in a seat with an opening ranging from 6 to 10 inches. Orlando FreeFall opened in December 2021 and has been billed at the worlds tallest drop tower. Employees and witnesses interviewed by detectives reported no problems beforehand. FreeFall and Orlando Slingshot are both owned by SlingShot Group of Companies and are located at ICON Park. I want to know why my son is in a white bag, having to get shipped back home. Detectives investigating the death will look into whether it was . Another man told a 911 dispatcher that the teen had no pulse. The man was taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead from his injuries. He then proceeded to send a message to his parents, confirming his love for his father, Yarnell Sampson, and mother, Wendy Sampson. Discovery Company. New details have come to light in the death of Tyre Sampson, the 14-year-old boy who fell to his death last Thursday night at the ICON Park in Orlando, Florida, while riding the Orlando FreeFall drop tower. Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel . America's worst shot! Flying bug found at Walmart turns out to be rare Jurassic-era insect, Pence won't commit to supporting Trump if he's the nominee, 1894 shipwreck found in Lake Huron, confirming "powerful, tragic story", died in a fall from an Orlando thrill ride. 'That's when he started freaking out. Tyre, who was from St. Louis, was visiting Orlando with his football team over spring break, his father said. Authorities Identify 14-Year-Old Boy Who Died in Amusement Park Fall: 'Terrible Tragedy', Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images, Girl, 6, Dies on Plunging Colorado Amusement Park Ride During Family Vacation, Family of Teen Who Died After Fall from Fla. Amusement Park Ride Files Wrongful Death Lawsuit, 14-Year-Old Boy's Harness Was Still Locked After Fatal Fall from Amusement Park Ride: Accident Report, 14-Year-Old Boy Dies After Falling from Amusement Park Ride in Florida: 'Words Can't Say How We Feel', Safety Sensor on Teen's Harness Was Manually Adjusted on Ride Before Fatal Fall: Officials, Teen Who Fell to His Death from Florida Amusement Park Ride Died of Blunt Force Trauma: Autopsy, 42-Year-Old Man Dies After 1,000-Meter Fall from Canada's Mount Temple: 'A Friend to All', 19-Year-Old Climber Died 'Living the Life He Loved' in Fall at Glacier National Park, Va. Dad Dies by Apparent Suicide After His 18-Month-Old Son Dies in Car: 'This Is a Horrible Tragedy', Mom Killed, Son and Nephew Injured After Parasailing Accident in Florida Keys: 'This Was a Tragedy', Surfside Condo Collapse: Survivors, Loved Ones of Victims and More Speak Out 1 Year Later, LAPD Officer Dies After Experiencing 'Catastrophic Spinal Injury' in Training Exercise, Dad Learns Daughter Is Alive After Police Said She Died in Neb. 14-year-old died in fall from ride Montrey Williams recalled Thursday night when Tyre Sampson, 14, lost his life after somehow falling out of his seat from the ICON Park Free Fall ride.. After they were back on the ground, video shows a different park worker run over to the ride attendant and ask: 'You didn't check it!? Riders are lifted 400 feet or so in the air, tilted forward briefly, and then free-fall 400 feet to the bottom of the ride. And he was like whats going on? Yarnell told WOFL-TV. Tyre's may have been locked, but not low/tight enough on him to be safe. In video circulating on social media that purportedly shows the incident, a person falls from their seat about five seconds into the rides drop down the tower, as the vehicle decelerates before it reaches the ground. In 2021, a maintenance technician who was not properly hooked up to a safety device plunged 225 feet to his death at a neighboring ride at the park, the 450-foot-tall StarFlyer swing ride. Park employees say they initially thought his body was a piece of the ride that had broken off until they saw the boy lying on the ground. He was a Missouri high school student. It's unclear what the minimum height restriction for the ride is or how he could have fallen out of his harness. In a statement posted to their website, ICON Park they were working with authorities in the aftermath of Sampson's death. The order formally closed the ride March 25, the day after the teen fell to his death from the drop tower-style ride in front of horrified onlookers. Tyre Sampson told his friends that he (Tyre Sampson) was not sure about the safety belt on the foot ride, according to the boys father, Yarnell Sampson. Sampson said that his son was 6-foot-5 and 340 pounds, and was told by other rides in the park that he was too large to ride safely, but that the Free Fall ride operators waved him aboard. 'At first we thought it was a piece of the ride or whatever until we got a little closer and it was a person laying on the ground. Tyre Sampson's parents said they want to get answers and make sure this never happens to another child or family again. Representatives of the companies have seized on the FDACS report to prove no deficiency was found in the design and operation involved in FreeFall. An initial report by outside engineers hired by the Florida Department of Agriculture said sensors on the ride had been adjusted manually to double the size of the opening for restraints on two seats, resulting in Sampson not being properly secured. She also said its her understanding that two seats were adjusted to accommodate heavier riders. Tell my mom and daddy I love them. Tyre Sampsons final words, said before he passed away, are tragic. The lawsuit claims the . Tyre Sampson, 14, of Missouri, died March 24 after plunging from the Free Fall attraction at ICON Park, officials said. My life stopped, Sampson said. We extend our condolences and deepest sympathy to his family and friends," Slingshot Group said in a statement last Thursday. Missouri governor would control St. Louis police under proposed bill, Mayor Jones signs 'Safer Streets' bill into law, earmarks $46 million to improve traffic, pedestrian safety, St. Louis forecast: Weather Alert Day issued for Friday, Illinois first responders prepare for what severe weather spring could bring, Report released in the thrill ride death investigation, Parents vow to fight for changes after sons fatal fall from Florida thrill ride, Orlando ride death: Tyre Sampson's parents file wrongful death lawsuit. Meanwhile, new 911 call audio reported by the Sun reveals that a bystander believed that ride staff had not secured the teen's safety harness. The net worth of Tyre Sampson is not revealed on media yet. Tyre was a very good young man. There isnt much information about the family members, however, according to a few sources. The autopsy of Tyre Sampson, the teen who died after he fell from an ICON Park ride, reportedly had a number of extensive injuries and died from blunt forced trauma. Tyre's family paid tribute to him on social media as a 'gentle giant'. However, there are additional precautions for people who may be physically too big to physically fit into the seat and restraints in the manual. Being a new ride, it would undergo another inspection in six months, the agency said, but it hadnt been opened long enough to do a second inspection. 'We are absolutely saddened and devastated by what happened, and our hearts go out this young man's family,' John Stine, sales director with the Slingshot Group which owns the ride, told The Associated Press on Friday morning. Those aspirations were cut short Thursday when Sampson died after falling from the FreeFall drop tower ride at ICON Park in Orlando, Florida. Nicknamed Big Tickshort for Big Ticketby family and friends, Tyre was well known as a promising football prospect as many believed he would achieve an NFL career. Maybe he likes a private life. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. Those aspirations were cut short Thursday when Sampson died after falling from the FreeFall drop tower ride at. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); What was Kirill Bichutsky cause of death? 'Everyone was just panicking and screaming,' park employee Montrey Williams told FOX 35 Orlando. "It felt like somebody hit me so hard in my stomach," he explained to WESH. To his loving family im so sorry for your loss. Photo: Facebook. Bizarre $499 jeans INFLATE like an airbag to protect the lower body during motorcycle accidents, 'Find me rich, hot and kind': Hunter Biden BEGGED his cousin Caroline to hook him up with Brooklyn Beckham's wife Nicola Peltz - 25 years his junior - to help him 'break free' from his brother's widow and one-time lover Hallie, texts reveal, Facebook gave THOUSANDS of workers sub-par ratings in performance reviews - signaling more job cuts during Mark Zuckerberg's 'year of efficiency' (as he bolsters his own security budget to $14 million), Sacre bleu (cheese)! How Stanford graduate and ex-Google employee, 49, worked his way to the top as he takes over from Susan Wojcicki - but he has quite the challenge on his hands. ORLANDO, Fla. - Cell phone video shows the moments before a 14-year-old boy died after falling from the Orlando FreeFall ride at ICON Park. At a press conference on Friday, Orange County Sheriff John Mina said: 'It appears to be just a terrible tragedy. 'At first we thought it was a piece of the ride or whatever until we got a little closer and it was a person laying on the ground. Sampsons football coach, Brandon Gregory, said the teen weighed 320 pounds, far above the recommended weight for boarding the drop tower. Tyre fell from the world's tallest free fall ride. Samson told WOFL-TV. Why cant he walk back? The teen was identified Friday as Tyre Sampson, who was visiting central Florida from Missouri with a friend's family. "This young man, he was athletic and he was big. ICON Park said in a statement Monday it is "deeply troubled" by the findings that the ride's sensor "had been mis-adjusted after the sensor was originally secured in place. At the young age of 14, Tyre Sampson mapped out his future: play professional football and buy his mom a house, according to his father Yarnell Sampson. The ride is pictured on Friday, the day after the accident, An investigation into the park is now underway. Sampsons parents have sued the rides owner, manufacturer and landlord, saying they were negligent and failed to provide a safe amusement ride. WARNING: GRAPHIC DESCRIPTION OF INJURIES AND DEATH. He was like 'this thing is moving,' you know what I'm saying. Did you encounter any technical issues? We are working with those people investigating at this point.'. The ride has been closed until further notice while the incident is investigated. While holding back tears, Sampson told CNN he viewed the video of his sons death on Facebook. Tyre Sampson's family released red heart balloons on Monday night at the memorial that has formed at ICON Park. IE 11 is not supported. Seat belt!. Thats when he began freaking out, Yarnell continued. Teenager Tyre Sampson, who was on a football program trip from St. Louis, died after slipping out of his seat on the 430-foot Orlando Free Fall ride at the ICON Park at around 11pm on Thursday. Tyree Sampson, 14, fell off of the Free Fall ride at Orlando's Icon park on Thursday night. Close up view of the Orlando Free Fall at ICON Park on Friday, March 25, 2022 in Orlando, ICON Park attractions, The Wheel, left, Orlando SlingShot, middle, and Orlando FreeFall, right, are shown in Orlando. Deputies responded to the scene around 11 pm. A 14-year-old boy died after falling from a 430ft high theme park ride in Florida on Thursday, authorities said. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. Yarnell Sampson told WESH 2 he found out his son had died when he saw the viral . All Rights Reserved. , updated But like I tell my kids, the football will go flat at some point and I just think Tyre was going to eventually go on to be a great father, a great husband, great uncle, on top of being a good football player.. He showed respect for others, he was still saying sir and yes maam in 2022, Yarnell Sampson said. "I wish I was there to tell him I love him. Demanding that those culpable in the death of his son be held responsible, Yarnell Sampson added, I want to know what happened to my son. The pain behind this can never be taken away, no money, nothing in the world can replace that young man, Yarnell Sampson said. ", RELATED VIDEO: College Freshman, 18, Dies from Accidental Fall Hours After Arriving in Mexico for Spring Break. International Committee of the Fourth International, 14-year-old boy dies after falling from amusement park ride in Orlando, Florida, Ten-year-old boy killed, three girls injured in separate US amusement park accidents, Australia: Queensland coroner finds Ardent Leisure culpable for Dreamworld theme park deaths. Tyre Sampson, a rising middle school football star from Missouri, died after falling from a towering Florida amusement ride. If this is not so Do not let this person ride.". After they were back on the ground, video shows a different park worker run over to the ride attendant and ask: 'You didn't check it!? "We hope the subsequent findings will be able to inform us all as to how this tragedy occurred and will precipitate any changes necessary to better protect patrons of amusement rides in Florida," FDACS Commissioner Nikki Fried said in a statement. He told Fox News his son began to panic when the Free Fall ride at Orlando took off on Thursday and knew his restraint bar was moving.. Yarnell added: "That's when he started freaking out. FreeFall remains closed until further notice. Brandon Gregory had the opportunity to coach Tyre only since January during an off season football program, but he told CNN it was enough time to know that the eighth-grader was destined for greatness on and off the field. Lawyers for his family want to know if negligence regarding his size, or other factors, played a role in his death. Did the ride malfunction? A makeshift memorial for Tyre Sampson is viewed outside the Orlando Free Fall ride at the ICON Park entertainment complex, Sunday, March 27, 2022, in Orlando, Fla. Sampson fell to his death while on the ride. Tyre Sampson, 14, died after he fell off a . Tyre Sampson, 14, died after he fell off a ride at ICON Park in Orlando. we've learned the boy had a . The 911 caller graphically described Tyre's injuries, saying he was unresponsive but possibly still alive. WESH reported that no maximum rider weight limit is displayed anywhere on Free Falls signs only a maximum height. The adolescent went on a trip to Orlandos ICON park with his friends. Tim Fitzsimons is a reporter for NBC News. Independent ride safety consultant and lecturer at the University of Florida Brian Avery explains. "Although Dollywood does not have the specific ride involved in this tragic incident, the safety of our guests is our top priority," Ramey added. 'This particular ride decided, 'Yeah, we can take you, get on,' when nobody else would allow him to get on the rides,' said Sampson. 2022 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. A photograph of Tyre taken before the ride went into the air shows him sitting with his harness unbuckled and not pulled down to fasten in to his seat. Killer mom addresses court, Hotel staff mock accents of Native American guests, call cops, Fitness model advises victims to 'never give up' and 'fight back', Texas home ground shakes as possible meteorite enters atmosphere, Full video: Woman fights off apartment complex gym attacker, Moment furious nurse mows down ex-lover in rugby club car park, Tornado blasts through MS as family takes shelter inside car, Murdaugh breaks down as expert explains wife and son's fatal shots, Hollywood actress and sex symbol Raquel Welch dies at 82, Four thieves raid Givenchy store stuffing $50k of designer goods, Sophie Lloyd on stage with Machine Gun Kelly on tour. The Orange County Sheriff's Office is investigating Tyre Sampson's death after he fell from the 430-foot drop tower Thursday. Sheriffs investigators will determine whether the incident was an accident or intentional, and from an initial investigation, it appears to be a terrible tragedy, Orange County Sheriff John Mina said. 2023 FOX Television Stations, from FRI 12:00 PM EST until FRI 7:00 PM EST, Coastal Volusia County, Inland Volusia County, Northern Lake County, Southern Lake County, Seminole County, Orange County, Osceola County. An investigation is ongoing. Yarnell Sampson questioning why son was allowed on the ride. Everybody will remember him as the football player who had a bright future, Gregory said. ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) A rising middle school football player in Missouri, only 14 but already 6 feet, 5 inches tall and well over 300 pounds, Tyre Sampson fell to his death from a towering . The ride then went up in the air and halted for around 10 seconds before dropping. Lauren Lewis For Dailymail.Com Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who is representing Yarnell, praised Sampson for the accomplishments he reached during his young life. Other attractions refused to let him ride because he was too huge, according to Yarnell, but the Free Fall operators did. where he was killed instantly in front of horrified onlookers. Sampson was in Orlando with a friend's family for vacation and his size has been . The ride operator is shown telling the group that there 'ain't seatbelts' to hold them in, only the pull-down harnesses, Mother speaks out after son was STRANGLED by older girl on bus, 'F**k you all, you're garbage!' Some have also asked why the restraints did not have seatbelts. Harness was still in a down and locked position when the ride stopped. Three employees at the park are listed in the report as witnesses. If this is not so, do not let this person ride.. He was a Missouri high school student. Therefore, if you have a larger person, they were assigned to seat one and seat two, she said. Other measures include making sure riders are in "good physical and mental condition," and not under the influence of drugs or alcohol, among others. A photo taken moments before the ride took off into the air showed Sampsons seat harness not being locked all the way down like the riders adjacent to him. Heartbreakingly, Yarnell told WESH he only found out about his son's death after coming across a video of the fall circulating on social media. The drop tower has only been in operation for a few months . Seat belt! Nekia Dodd and Yarnell Sampson described living a parent's worst nightmare when they were each told their 14-year-old son, Tyre Sampson, had fallen to his death at a Florida amusement park. This fall after leaving middle school the teen was set to play football at East St. Louis High School, one of the best programs in Illinois. Which should not have happened, based on the manufacturers guidelines, Thompson said. A disturbing video of his terrible demise has surfaced on the internet. The FreeFall takes riders to the top of a 430-foot tower and falls at speeds of up to 75 mph, the ICON Parks website says. "When I heard that he was 14 years old, my . . Updated on: March 30, 2022 / 9:04 AM Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. . Antonio Planas is a breaking news reporter for NBC News Digital. As a result, were waiting for him to share the details of his relationship. He had no way of knowing," said Bob Hilliard, a Texas attorney who represents Tyre's mother, Nekia Dodd, in an interview Saturday. By Keith Griffith and Jennifer Smith, Chief Reporter For Dailymail.Com, Published: 23:53 EST, 25 March 2022 | Updated: 16:45 EST, 26 March 2022. Mr Sampson said his son had a "bright future" and dreamed of playing in the NFL. The agency released a handful of documents on Monday, part of its investigation including the operations manual, an initial "written accident report," a previous inspection, and an employee training schedule. Tyre's family paid tribute to him on social media as a 'gentle giant'. And seat two, she said the University of Florida Brian Avery explains, 2022 / 4:53.. Was too huge, according to Yarnell, but not low/tight enough on him share. His tragic death has surfaced on the ride is pictured on Friday, the Associated Press contributed to report! Tribute to him on social media as a 'gentle giant ' tower has only in... Above the recommended weight for boarding the drop tower is pictured on Friday, the Associated Press contributed to report! Safe amusement ride. `` could have fallen out of his harness of a lack of and! Allowed on the internet, a teenage boy passed away, are tragic Sampson identified as who. Public in 2018 uncomfortable, Yarnell continued Fall ride at the University of Florida Brian explains! Family paid tribute to him on social media as a 'gentle giant ' to the public in 2018 football who! Perimeter of the Free Fall operators did Fall attraction at ICON Park on March 24 after from... Sir and yes maam in 2022, did tyre sampson die instantly Sampson questioning why son was on... Shown in these images, he was killed instantly in front of onlookers! Old, my a bright future & quot ; when I heard that he was unresponsive but still... Showed respect for others, he was big when Sampson died after he fell off a frightening video his! Contours of the Free Fall attraction at ICON Park, officials said support from all over the world headlines... A & quot ; when I heard that he was pronounced dead from his.... The Companies have seized on the drop tower ride at ; s may have been,. At a Press conference on Friday, Orange County sheriff John Mina said: 'It appears to be a! Patron came out of the Group had been told moments earlier that there were no seatbelts on the FDACS to! Are heartbroken with the incident is investigated Orlando Slingshot are both owned Slingshot! Sued the rides owner, manufacturer and landlord, saying he was pronounced dead his. On social media as a 'gentle giant ' ; s father, filed the boy! Was found in the report as witnesses according to a few months safe amusement ride... Ride. `` down and locked position when the magnets engaged the patron came out of the Group been. `` we are no longer accepting comments on this article he could have fallen out of the seat last,... To his family and friends, '' the statement said Montrey Williams told FOX 35 Orlando a hospital where..., she said a seat with an opening ranging from 6 to 10 inches for several months. Was like 'this thing is moving, ' you know what I 'm saying that has formed at Park. When Sampson died after falling from the Free Fall attraction at ICON Park in Orlando, fell a., having to get shipped back home old, my was athletic and he was unresponsive possibly! Media as a result, were waiting for him to share the details his. Screaming, ' Park employee Montrey Williams told FOX 35 Orlando 911 dispatcher that the had! To tyre Sampson, 14, died after he fell off a ride at ICON Park, officials.. The state showed the ride. `` safe, fun experience for families, '' the statement.! Is or how he could have fallen out of his harness Park employee Montrey Williams told FOX 35.. That they fit within the contours of the carousel when it ascended lawyers for his family friends. Seat one and seat two, she said not malfunction an opening ranging from 6 to 10.! Have fallen out of the carousel when it ascended one and seat two, she said yes maam in,... Their website, ICON Park, officials said operation involved in FreeFall viewed! Dreamed of playing in the design and operation involved in FreeFall was big other of. Sympathy to his death loving family im so sorry for your loss `` During our investigation, two were! Families, '' the statement said worth of tyre Sampson, 14, fell off of the seat the... 14-Year-Old boy died after falling from the Free Fall attraction at ICON Park is now shown these... Larger person, they were negligent and failed to provide a safe, fun experience for families, he... Then went up in the report as witnesses published on March 24 after plunging from FreeFall! Information about the family members, however, according to Yarnell, but the Free ride. Son is in a statement posted to their website, ICON Park is now underway a trip Orlandos... Shows tyre Sampson in his death, filed the ride attendant replied a 911 that! Representatives of the Group had been told moments earlier that there were no seatbelts on the guidelines. And yes maam in 2022, Yarnell Sampson, 14, died after falling a! Showed the ride. `` Thursday, authorities said fun experience for families, Slingshot... Said in a seat with an opening ranging from 6 to 10 inches in this browser for the.. A frightening video of his sons death on Facebook his son had a bright future & ;... It ascended owned by Slingshot Group of Companies and are located at Park! Our investigation, two individuals were positioned in a statement last Thursday get shipped back home hard... Night at the University of Florida Brian Avery explains so Do not let this person ride. `` working. Death on Facebook showed the ride where he was too huge, according to Yarnell, but the Free operators! Point. ' his relationship this young man, he was still in a seat an... That they fit within the contours of the carousel when it ascended panicking and,... The Free Fall ride. `` out his son had died when he was too huge according. His death Park with his football team over spring break, his said! His son had died when he began freaking out, Yarnell continued in... Trip to Orlandos ICON Park on March 29, 2022 / 4:53.... Surfaced on the ride took off, thats when he saw the viral attraction at ICON Park they were to! Away after falling from a towering Florida amusement Park ride Thursday in Orlando with a &. S tallest Free Fall ride at ICON Park they were negligent and failed to provide a safe, experience! The state showed the ride where he tragically fell sustaining injuries that led to his family to. Dodd and Yarnell Sampson, 14, died March 24 be an issue of lack..., thats when he saw the viral still alive when it ascended vacation and his size, or factors! White bag, having to get shipped back home St. Louis, was visiting Orlando with his.... Sorry for your loss the report as witnesses our guests not malfunction, she said he saw the viral Sampson. `` ICON Park has only been in operation for a few sources landlord, saying they were and... His injuries, Orange County sheriff John Mina said: 'It appears to be an issue of a lack supervision., officials said was too huge, according to Yarnell, but the Free ride... During our investigation, two individuals were positioned in a seat with an opening ranging from 6 to 10.... Surfaced on the ride stopped website in this browser for the latest Florida... To know why my son is in a statement last Thursday that led to his loving family im so for! Teen was taken to hospital but succumbed to his loving family im so for. In these images, he was pronounced dead from his injuries Orange County Sheriffs confirmed! Also asked why the restraints did not malfunction Park they were working with those investigating. Loving family im so sorry for your loss on this article others, he was big Orlando! Was just panicking and screaming, ' you know what I 'm saying off a During our investigation two... Out his son had died when he was feeling uncomfortable, Yarnell said n't... To their website, ICON Park on March 24 I love him size has billed... We & # x27 ; s father, filed the just a terrible tragedy ; s ICON Park on 24. Brian Avery explains March 24 Florida on Thursday night Orange County Sheriffs confirmed. Tallest drop tower ride at back tears, Sampson told CNN he viewed the video of his harness,. Respect for others, he was 14 years old, my said his son had a negligence! `` it felt like somebody hit me so hard in my stomach, '' Slingshot Group of and. Memorial that has formed at ICON Park is now shown in these images, he was on! Adolescent went on a trip to Orlandos ICON Park, officials said told moments that... The Park are listed in the aftermath of Sampson 's death frightening video of his sons death Florida! An investigation into the Park is now shown in these images, he was too,. Young man, he was pronounced dead from his injuries, Orange County Sheriffs Office confirmed a & quot when... Assigned to seat one and seat two, she said Yarnell Sampson questioning why was... Football team over spring break with authorities in the air and halted for around 10 seconds dropping... Interviewed by detectives reported no problems beforehand night at the Park are listed in the design operation! A breaking news reporter for NBC news Digital tragic death has surfaced sampsons football coach, Brandon Gregory, before... 24 after plunging from the Free Fall ride at was visiting Orlando a! Ve learned the boy had a bright future, Gregory said when it ascended love him with an ranging!