14-Year Old’s Death On Free Fall Ride Is Likely The Result Of Operator Error, Says Ride Safety Expert

After only three months in operation, Free Fall Ride at ICON Park in Orlando sits still as people pay respect to a 14-year old boy who died after falling from the 430-foot tall tower ride.

According to his family, Tyre Sampson was on spring break from St. Louis, Missouri when he visited the park. 

Tyre was riding Free Fall with his friends Thursday night when the ride ascended, then dropped, and he fell out of his harness to his death.

Operators call Free Fall the world’s tallest freestanding drop tower, the sheriff’s office said.

The state released key records Monday that shed more light on safety aboard the Free Fall.

On page 58 of the operator’s manual for this ride, the maximum weight is listed as less than 287 pounds.

An attorney for the boy’s family told WESH the boy was well over 300 pounds and, according to the manual, should not have been on that ride.

According to reports, there were signs that indicate a minimum height but not a maximum weight.

The newly-obtained state documents also show who was operating the ride and the operator was trained Feb. 21.

“It’s clear to anybody, not just ride safety engineers, that that boy was not harnessed properly,” Bill Kitchen, president of U.S. Thrill Rides, said.

Kitchen reviewed video of the minutes leading up to the fatal fall, and, in his expert opinion, he says ride operators failed to ensure the boy was secured.

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services inspected the seat and drop tower Friday but haven’t revealed their findings.

Inspection reports from Dec. 20 showed no safety “deficiencies.”

On Monday, ICON Park says it ordered SlingShot Group, who owns the Orlando FreeFall, to shut down operation of both that ride and Orlando SlingShot, effective immediately, until they are proven safe.

Both rides shut down last Thursday.

A sister ride called “Drop Line,” made by Funtime was closed by Dollywood until further notice. Unlike the Orlando ride, which tilts forward at the top before descending, the Dollywood ride keeps them upright throughout.

ICON Park said it would continue to cooperate with the ongoing investigations into the Orlando FreeFall.

“We continue to grieve the passing of Tyre Sampson and our thoughts are with his family and friends. This was the saddest day in the history of ICON Park and we’re working hard to make sure this never happens again,” according to ICON Park.

Tyre had big plans for his future: play professional football and buy his mom a house, according to his father Yarnell Sampson.

Tyre “was a very good young man. He was a big teddy bear, a gentle giant,” Yarnell said, adding Tyre would give the shirt off his back to anyone who needed it.

“He gave me reason to live,” Yarnell told CNN. “He earned a right to enjoy himself and, unfortunately, he lost his life on that ride.”

Sending condolences to Trye’s family and friends.