The terrible accident at Orlando’s ICON Park was incredibly sad as it claimed the life of a young teenage boy.
In March 2022, a 14-year-old boy, Tyre Sampson, fell to his death at Orlando’s ICON Park while riding the Orlando FreeFall ride. The Orange County Medical Examiner has finally now concluded their autopsy and revealed the reports.
The report read, “The body is that of well-developed, obese, 74 inch, 383 pound, black male, appearing older than the reported age of 14 years.” The report also chronicles the multiple internal and external abrasions, lacerations, and fractures that were suffered by young Tyre Sampson.
“He was 387 pounds and that’s 97 pounds more than what the maximum requirement was. So he never should have been on that ride. He should have been able to attend his 8th-grade graduation last week,” said Kim Wald, an attorney said after the results of the autopsy were revealed. “This is just one more piece of the puzzle moving forward for us in the case.”
Sampson had been turned away from two other rides before he was allowed on the Orlando FreeFall. He had been visiting Orlando on a spring break trip with some of his fellow athletes. According to Sampson’s friends who were with him on the ride, the boy did not feel safe on the ride, to begin with.
They claim that the young man had his eyes closed as the ride reached the top because he was scared. And as the ride came down, Sampson fell to his death. Sampson was immediately rushed to a hospital but did not survive.
It has been speculated from the beginning of this tragedy that Sampson had never been adequately harnessed as per the requirements of the rides due to his weight.
According to the ride’s manual, the maximum weight limit for the ride is 287 pounds and Sampson was well over that weight.
The state ordered an investigation which was undertaken by Quest Engineering, a forensics firm. The investigation revealed that the ride operator had adjusted two seats themselves to cater to guests of larger sizes who did not meet the weight requirement for the ride.
“These misadjustments allowed the safety lights to illuminate – improperly satisfying the ride’s electronic safety mechanisms — that allowed the ride to operate even though Mr. Sampson was not properly secured in the seat,” Nikki Fried, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture said. Her agency investigates rides at smaller amusement parks.
The investigation concluded that there were multiple factors that led to Sampson’s death. It also concluded that the ride did not experience any mechanical or electrical failures which led to the death of the teenager.
Even as the details surrounding the young teen’s death are emerging, his parents are less than satisfied. Tyre’s parents, Yarnell Sampson and Nekia Dodd have filed multiple civil suits against ICON Park, Orlando FreeFall, The Slingshot Group, the manufacturer of the ride, and the construction company that built it.
They are devastated at knowing their son is no longer with them. “He was a go-getter. For him not to be here, it’s devastating. He was on his way. He was going to be known, but not like this,” his mother said.
Tyre dreamt of being a professional football player. According to his middle school coach, the 14-year-old had a bright future ahead of him and was destined for great things.
His father revealed the heartbreaking fact that he had seen the video of the teenager falling off the ride before he even knew he was looking at a video of his own son.
“I was sick when I first seen it. It makes me numb and helpless because I wasn’t there to protect my son. But I’m here now to speak up for my son,” he said.
He wants to ensure the ride is shut down forever. The ride currently is shut down pending all investigations.
We pray that Tyre Sampson’s family gets justice and can finally be at peace.
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