A14-year-old boy who was riding"the world’s tallest free-standing drop tower" in Orlando, Florida, died last week in a shocking fall from the attraction as witnesses watched in horror.
Following the tragic incident, loved ones remembered the boy —Tyre Sampson — as an aspiring athlete, a good student and a caring son.Two lawyers, including nationally-recognized civil rights attorney Ben Crump, announced they would be representing the family.
Deputies received a 911 call andresponded toICON Park shortly after 11 p.m. where witnesses said someone had fallen from the Free Fall ride, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement. Tyrewas transported to a hospital where he died from his injuries.
'Shocked and heartbroken':Teen dies in fall from massive drop tower ride
ICON Parkdeath:Teen boy killed after fall from drop tower ride inOrlando
More:Dollywood temporarily closesride made by same manufacturer
Here's what we know about the incident:
Tyre Sampson visited Florida for a week-long football camp
Tyre Sampson was arising middle school football player in Missouri, only 14 but already 6 feet, 5 inches tall and well over 300 pounds.Lawyers for his family want to know if negligence about his size, or other factors, played a role.
Tyre was part of a group called the St. Louis Bad Boyz football club who were in Orlando for a weeklong training camp, the Post-Dispatch reported.
The group had chaperones and, by all accounts, were doing what millions do every year during spring break in Orlando: Enjoying the theme parks and rides.
Yarnell Sampson, Tyre's father,told CNNthat Tyre was a "kindhearted kid" and"a big teddy bear, a gentle giant."
Arnaud Jones, Tyre's former football coach,told local news stationKSDKthat the teen was "mild-mannered, light spoken."
"He would respect and take in what I’m giving him, and I knew he had a bright future because he was just a great kid," Jones said.
Attorneys Ben Crump,Bob Hilliardto represent family
The teen's familywill be represented by civil rights attorney Ben Crump and Bob Hilliard, the lawyers announced over the weekend.
“This family is shocked and heartbroken at the loss of their son.A fun theme park visit with his football team should not have ended in tragedy,"Crump, who is representing Yarnell Sampson, Tyre's father, said in a statement.
Crump said in a Saturdaystatement that Tyre was astar 8th-grade football player and A student.
"This young man was the kind of son every parent hopes for – an honor roll student, an aspiring athlete, and a kind-hearted person who cared about others," the statement said.
Attorney Bob Hilliard, who is representingTyre’s mother, Nekia Dodd, said in a statement that families should be able to trust theme parks to keep their children safe.
"Every parent who sees this horrific video can’t help but think the same thing, ‘That could have been my child,'" he said.
The attorneys said they urge any witnesses to contact them.
Investigation is ongoing, ride closes indefinitely
The investigation into the death is ongoing, Orange County Sheriff John Mina said.But preliminary information indicates "it appears to be a terrible tragedy." He said the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs is investigating the safety of the ride.
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services Nikki Fried offered the following statement Tuesday:
“Words cannot express the sorrow felt by the tragic loss of such a young man, and my thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends during this unimaginably difficult time,"the statement said.
"... 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 amusem*nt rides in Florida.”
Sampson seemed to slip out of his seat when the ride braked as it approached the bottom of its descent, according to a witnessaccount to a 911 dispatcher. Video suggests that he was propelled from his seat at high speeds as the ride slowed from its descent.
The ride will be closed indefinitely, said John Stine, spokesperson for the Slingshot Group of Companies, whichownsand operatesthe ride. Stine said there have been no other safety issues with the ride since it opened.
About ICON Park in Orlando, Florida
Orlando Free Fall tower
The Orlando Free Fall tower, which opened less than four months ago,rises 430 feet and is touted asthe world’s tallest free-standing drop tower, according to the attraction.Riders board a vehicle that brings them to the top of the tower, tilts 30 degrees to face the ground briefly and then drops down, reaching a speed of over 75 mph. The ride brakes about 45 feet above the ground.
Slingshot Group operate the ride
The drop tower ride and the adjacent Slingshot ride are operated by the Slingshot Group. John Stine, director of sales and marketing for the company,told local news outletsthe boy was wearing a safety harness at the time of the accident. He also expressed the company's condolences and said the Free Fall ride will be closed indefinitely.
Prior incident at ICON Park
In 2020, a21-year-old worker diedafter falling 50 to 60 feet fromthe StarFlyer attraction. The man was conducting a safety check on the ride, a 450-foot spinning swing ride when he fell.
Dollywood temporarily closes ride made by same manufacturer in Orlando incident
Dollywood has temporarily closed its drop tower ride following thedeath of a 14-year-oldon a similar-style ride in Orlando, Florida,from the same manufacturer.
"Although Dollywood does not have the specific ride involved in this tragic incident, the safety of our guests is our top priority,"said a statement from Dollywood Parks & Resortspublic relations director Wes Ramey. "Out of an abundance of caution, and until further details about the accident at ICON Park are known, we have temporarily closedDrop Line, our drop tower ride that was developed by the same manufacturer."
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Contributing: Curt Anderson, Associated Press;N'dea Yancey-Bragg, Joel Shannon, and Christine Fernando, USA TODAY;Ginny Beagan, USA TODAY Network
Grace Pateras is a digital producer for the USA TODAY Network. Follow her on Twitter at @gracepateras.
