Latest news with #OrlandoEagleDropSlingshot
USA Today
20-03-2025
- USA Today
Ex-technician says ride operator ignored safety issues before teen's deadly fall
Ex-technician says ride operator ignored safety issues before teen's deadly fall Show Caption Hide Caption Trial begins in lawsuit over Tyre Sampson death Jury selection was set to begin in a lawsuit against the manufacturers of the FreeFall ride at ICON Park, where a 14-year-old fell to his death in 2022. Fox - 35 Orlando A former maintenance technician who worked on an Orlando amusement park ride before 14-year-old Tyre Sampson died in a shocking fall from it in 2022 claims he alerted supervisors of safety issues that were ignored before the incident. In a lawsuit filed Wednesday seeking over $50,000, Austin Campbell-Alexander said he alerted his supervisor that a ride operator was using replacement sensors on some of the Free Fall ride's seats to allow larger passengers to ride than the seats were designed to accommodate, overriding the ride's safety equipment. "Such an override was knowingly dangerous to the public as the Freefall ride's manufacturer set weight and height limits for riders," the lawsuit, which was viewed by USA TODAY asserted. This was the safety issue that investigators later determined led to Sampson's death at Orlando's ICON Park on March 24, 2022. Sampson's family was awarded $310 million last year in a suit against the ride's manufacturer, Funtime-Handels. "We will work to hold Orlando Eagle Drop Slingshot accountable and send a message to all ride owners and operators that you cannot sweep safety concerns under the rug or punish workers who bring them to light," Campbell-Alexander's attorneys John Morgan and Greg Schmitz of the Morgan & Morgan Law Firm said in a statement. The lawyers representing the ride's operators, Eagle Drop Slingshot and other companies, said Campbell-Alexander's claims "are in direct conflict with statements he provided following the accident, which will no doubt be demonstrated in Court." "Upon discovering that Mr. Campbell-Alexander adjusted the sensors that resulted in the accident, he was suspended and relieved of any further involvement or access to any rides. Upon learning of Mr. Campbell-Alexander's and other employees' conduct, we proactively notified investigating authorities," Trevor Arnold and Brian Bieber of the Pennsylvania-based GrayRobinson firm said in a statement to USA TODAY. Campbell-Alexander's attorneys denied that he adjusted the sensors on his own and said he didn't have the authority or the training to do so. The decisions about the sensors and operation of the ride were solely with the defendants, they said. What happened to Tyre Sampson The Free Fall ride was designed to carry 30 riders at a time and rise to the top, tilt forward and then free fall nearly 400 feet at speeds reaching over 75 mph. Sampson slipped out the bottom of the seat on the descent while the ride braked, witnesses said at the time. Video of the incident suggested he was propelled from his seat at high speeds. Attorneys for his family said there was no secondary seatbelt other than the over-the-shoulder harness. The ride was supposed to hold passengers up to 287 pounds, according to its manual. Sampson was about 6-foot-2 and about 380 pounds, a lawsuit filed by his family said. "The cause of the subject accident was that Tyre Sampson was not properly secured in the seat primarily due to mis-adjustment of the harness proximity sensor," said a 2022 report from the forensic engineering firm hired by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to investigate the cause of the accident. "The mis-adjustment of the sensor allowed both safety lights to illuminate, improperly satisfying the ride's electronic safety mechanisms allowing the ride to commence even though the ride was unsafe." Ex-employee claims safety issues were reported In Campbell-Alexander's suit, the former technician claimed an operations manager manually bypassed the normal safety features of some of the rides' seats. The lawsuit said he reported this issue to his supervisor. Campbell-Alexander said he learned of the issues around mid-January, but the lawsuit doesn't say when he reported them. He also raised concerns about a lack of training given to technicians, the lawsuit said. The lawsuit also claims that about two weeks before Sampson's death, Campbell-Alexander and another employee discovered a cylinder that locks and holds riders into their seats was overheating when the ride was operating. The lawsuit says employees tried to fix the ride, but realized a technician would need to come reprogram the ride from Austria, where the manufacturer is based. "Nonetheless, despite knowing a 're-program' was necessary, Defendants went ahead and continued operating the FreeFall ride, bypassed the safety issue, and disregarded the safety risks this would pose to patrons," the lawsuit said. Other safety issues discovered also went unaddressed and the ride continued to operate, the lawsuit claimed. Campbell-Alexander said after Sampson's death, he was asked by his supervisors to "backfill blank maintenance logs and sign off on certain maintenance tasks as having been performed by him and one of Plaintiff's co-workers." He refused, and was later placed on paid leave for nearly a year before he was fired, the lawsuit said. Campbell-Alexander alleges in the lawsuit that his firing was retaliatory. The Free Fall ride has since been taken down. Contributing: N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA TODAY
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Yahoo
Orlando ride maintenance tech alleges safety issues were ignored before teen fell to his death in 2022: suit
A man who used to work as a maintenance technician for the now-closed FreeFall ride at Orlando's ICON Park is alleging that safety issues with the ride were ignored in the weeks before a teen fell to his death in March 2022. In a lawsuit filed on Wednesday, former technician Austin Campbell-Alexander said he noticed "safety issues with the seats and overall structural integrity" of the FreeFall Drop Tower sometime around January 2022 – a couple of months before 14-year-old Tyre Sampson died from falling off the ride. The lawsuit is filed against Orlando Eagle Drop Slingshot, the owner and operator of the ride, and other affiliated companies, not ICON Park. Florida Freefall Teen Death: Father Of Teenager Says He Learned About His Son Dying From Social Media Video The former tech "learned that the seats associated with the FreeFall ride were being manually bypassed by one of the operations managers" when the ride opened, according to the lawsuit obtained by FOX 35 Orlando. The manager was allegedly using a replacement sensor for two seats so that they could "accommodate larger patrons over certain height and weight limits." "Such an override was knowingly dangerous to the public as the FreeFall ride's manufacturer set weight and height limits for riders," the lawsuit stated. Read On The Fox News App Fox News Digital previously reported that an operating manual for the ride stated the maximum passenger weight was just over 286 pounds. Campbell-Alexander said he reported the "illegal and unsafe practice" to his supervisor, though the ride "continued operation" outside of manufacturer guidelines. He also reported that he received no training for his position as a maintenance tech and believed that was the same for other employees responsible for "patron safety or the safe operation/maintenance of the ride itself." Florida Legislature Passes 'Tyre Sampson Act' After Teen's Amusement Park Death, Increasing Safety Regulations According to the lawsuit, there were a handful of moments when safety issues arose with the ride, yet the ride remained open "when it should have been closed to ensure patron safety." In March 2022, Campbell-Alexander said he and another employee noticed that a metal cylinder responsible for locking riders in their seats was "too hot," making it possible for the seats to not be secured properly. A few days later, they also noticed cracks in the joints of the gondolas, which hold and transport all seats on the ride. Sampson fell to his death on March 24, 2022, because he was over the ride's limit at 6-foot-5 and approximately 360 pounds, causing the seat to not be latched when the ride dropped 400 feet at speeds upwards of 75 mph, state investigators said after the incident. Family Of Teen Killed In Florida Amusement Park After Falling Off Ride Files Wrong Death Lawsuit During an investigation after Sampson's death, Campbell-Alexander said that he was asked to "back-fill blank maintenance logs and sign off on certain maintenance tasks" as if he and a coworker had performed them. He said he objected to "fraudulently affirm" that he performed certain tasks, which resulted in him being placed on paid leave and booted from the premises. He said he remained on leave while the defendants attempted to resolve a civil lawsuit with Sampson's family, and once that was settled, he was fired on March 31, 2023. The law firm representing Orlando Eagle Drop Slingshot sent a statement on Campbell-Alexander's lawsuit to FOX 35, alleging that the former tech was the one who adjusted sensors on the ride, which resulted in his firing. "Our clients promptly investigated the tragic accident that resulted in the death of Tyre Sampson. Upon discovering that Mr. Campbell-Alexander adjusted the sensors that resulted in the accident, he was suspended and relieved of any further involvement or access to any rides," Trevor Arnold and Brian Bieber, GrayRobinson, PA said. "Upon learning of Mr. Campbell-Alexander's and other employees' conduct, we proactively notified investigating authorities. At all times, we cooperated with the investigators. We worked diligently to resolve the litigation and claims with Tyre's family as well as the administrative agencies involved. Mr. Campbell-Alexander's claims are in direct conflict with statements he provided following the accident, which will no doubt be demonstrated in Court."Original article source: Orlando ride maintenance tech alleges safety issues were ignored before teen fell to his death in 2022: suit
Fox News
20-03-2025
- Fox News
Orlando ride maintenance tech alleges safety issues were ignored before teen fell to his death in 2022: suit
A man who used to work as a maintenance technician for the now-closed FreeFall ride at Orlando's ICON Park is alleging that safety issues with the ride were ignored in the weeks before a teen fell to his death in March 2022. In a lawsuit filed on Wednesday, former technician Austin Campbell-Alexander said he noticed "safety issues with the seats and overall structural integrity" of the FreeFall Drop Tower sometime around January 2022 – a couple of months before 14-year-old Tyre Sampson died from falling off the ride. The lawsuit is filed against Orlando Eagle Drop Slingshot, the owner and operator of the ride, and other affiliated companies, not ICON Park. The former tech "learned that the seats associated with the FreeFall ride were being manually bypassed by one of the operations managers" when the ride opened, according to the lawsuit obtained by FOX 35 Orlando. The manager was allegedly using a replacement sensor for two seats so that they could "accommodate larger patrons over certain height and weight limits." "Such an override was knowingly dangerous to the public as the FreeFall ride's manufacturer set weight and height limits for riders," the lawsuit stated. Fox News Digital previously reported that an operating manual for the ride stated the maximum passenger weight was just over 286 pounds. Campbell-Alexander said he reported the "illegal and unsafe practice" to his supervisor, though the ride "continued operation" outside of manufacturer guidelines. He also reported that he received no training for his position as a maintenance tech and believed that was the same for other employees responsible for "patron safety or the safe operation/maintenance of the ride itself." According to the lawsuit, there were a handful of moments when safety issues arose with the ride, yet the ride remained open "when it should have been closed to ensure patron safety." In March 2022, Campbell-Alexander said he and another employee noticed that a metal cylinder responsible for locking riders in their seats was "too hot," making it possible for the seats to not be secured properly. A few days later, they also noticed cracks in the joints of the gondolas, which hold and transport all seats on the ride. Sampson fell to his death on March 24, 2022, because he was over the ride's limit at 6-foot-5 and approximately 360 pounds, causing the seat to not be latched when the ride dropped 400 feet at speeds upwards of 75 mph, state investigators said after the incident. During an investigation after Sampson's death, Campbell-Alexander said that he was asked to "back-fill blank maintenance logs and sign off on certain maintenance tasks" as if he and a coworker had performed them. He said he objected to "fraudulently affirm" that he performed certain tasks, which resulted in him being placed on paid leave and booted from the premises. He said he remained on leave while the defendants attempted to resolve a civil lawsuit with Sampson's family, and once that was settled, he was fired on March 31, 2023. The law firm representing Orlando Eagle Drop Slingshot sent a statement on Campbell-Alexander's lawsuit to FOX 35, alleging that the former tech was the one who adjusted sensors on the ride, which resulted in his firing. "Our clients promptly investigated the tragic accident that resulted in the death of Tyre Sampson. Upon discovering that Mr. Campbell-Alexander adjusted the sensors that resulted in the accident, he was suspended and relieved of any further involvement or access to any rides," Trevor Arnold and Brian Bieber, GrayRobinson, PA said. "Upon learning of Mr. Campbell-Alexander's and other employees' conduct, we proactively notified investigating authorities. At all times, we cooperated with the investigators. We worked diligently to resolve the litigation and claims with Tyre's family as well as the administrative agencies involved. Mr. Campbell-Alexander's claims are in direct conflict with statements he provided following the accident, which will no doubt be demonstrated in Court."
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Yahoo
Orlando drop tower ride tech alleges safety issues were ignored before Tyre Sampson's death: Lawsuit
The Brief A former maintenance technician alleges he raised safety concerns about the Orlando FreeFall ride weeks before 14-year-old Tyre Sampson's fatal fall in March 2022. The lawsuit claims he was later asked to falsify maintenance logs and was fired when he refused. Sampson's family won a $310 million wrongful death lawsuit, and Florida passed the Tyre Sampson Act to strengthen amusement ride safety regulations. ORLANDO, Fla. - A former maintenance technician claims to have raised several safety concerns about the Orlando FreeFall ride at ICON Park, weeks before 14-year-old Tyre Sampson fell from the ride and died in March 2022, according to a new lawsuit. The lawsuit also alleges that after Sampson's death, the technician was asked by his supervisors to fill out backdated maintenance logs and to "sign off" on certain maintenance tasks previously completed. When he refused, he was placed on leave and ultimately fired, the lawsuit states. State investigators determined that Sampson was likely too large to ride Orlando FreeFall and that his seat had been adjusted to accommodate his size. That, in turn, allowed him to slip beneath the seat as the ride dropped 400 feet at speeds upwards of 75 mph. According to the lawsuit, which was filed by an Orlando-based law firm, Austin Campbell-Alexander was hired as a maintenance technician and in charge of several rides and attractions, including the Orlando FreeFall. Around mid-January 2022, Campbell-Alexander claims that he noticed safety issues with the "seats and overall structural integrity" of Orlando FreeFall. The lawsuit alleges that another employee would override safety sensors on seats used to accommodate larger riders. In March 2022, Campbell-Alexander and another employee allegedly noticed that a metal cylinder responsible for locking riders in their seats was "too hot," as well as cracks in the joints of the gondolas. After Sampson's death, Campbell-Alexander said he was asked to "back-fill blank maintenance logs and sign off on certain maintenance tasks as having been performed by him and (a co-worker)." When he refused, he was then placed on paid leave, and eventually fired, the lawsuit claims. To be clear, the lawsuit has been filed against Orlando Eagle Drop Slingshot, the owner and operator of the ride, and other affiliated companies. ICON Park is not listed as a defendant. ICON Park is an amusement park in Orlando that is home to several rides, attractions, and shows. You can read the lawsuit below: Click to open this PDF in a new window. What we don't know It remains unclear whether other employees shared similar safety concerns or raised complaints before the accident. The lawsuit does not specify whether any other parties had knowledge of these alleged maintenance issues. What they're saying FOX 35 News contacted the law firm representing Orlando Eagle Drop Slingshot. Trevor Arnold and Brian Bieber, GrayRobinson, PA sent us the following statement: "Our clients promptly investigated the tragic accident that resulted in the death of Tyre Sampson. Upon discovering that Mr. Campbell-Alexander adjusted the sensors that resulted in the accident, he was suspended and relieved of any further involvement or access to any rides. Upon learning of Mr. Campbell-Alexander's and other employees' conduct, we proactively notified investigating all times, we cooperated with the investigators. We worked diligently to resolve the litigation and claims with Tyre's family as well as the administrative agencies involved. Mr. Campbell-Alexander's claims are in direct conflict with statements he provided following the accident, which will no doubt be demonstrated in Court." The backstory Tyre Sampson fell to his death from the Orlando FreeFall ride after his seat was manually adjusted, creating a fatal gap in the restraints, according to investigators. The ride, which had opened just months earlier, was permanently shut down. His death led to stricter amusement ride safety laws. On March 24, 2022, 14-year-old Tyre Sampson a stand-out football player from St. Louis, Missouri, was in Florida with friends for Spring Break. They went to ICON Park and Sampson was on the Orlando FreeFall ride, a 400-foot drop tower. State investigators determined that Sampson was placed in a seat that had been "manually loosened, adjusted and tightened," allowing for a greater gap than normal between his harness and his seat. When the ride dropped towards the ground and began to slow, Sampson slipped through those restraints andfell 70 feet to the ground. He died at the hospital. The Orlando FreeFall was a 430-foot drop tower ride, billed as the "tallest" drop tower in the world. The ride opened at ICON Park in December 2021 to much fanfare. It was created by German-based ride maker, Funtime. After Sampson's death, the ride was shut down and was then permanently closed. A year later, in March 2023, the ride was torn down. In May 2023, the Florida Legislature passed the Tyre Sampson Act. The bill adds safety standards and measures for amusement rides, particularly new rides, in Florida: Under the act, permanent amusement rides operated for the first time in Florida to have a specified date to have a ride commissioning and certification report on file with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services within a specific timeframe. It also requires additional testing and verification, updates requirements for when ride operators have to report accidents or injuries, and sets training and retraining standards for employees. It also allows the Department of Agriculture to shut down an amusement ride and take "appropriate administrative actions under certain circumstances." The bill was one of the primary demands of Sampson's parents, Nekia Dodd and Yarnell Sampson, following their son's death. Dig deeper Continuing coverage: Orlando FreeFall death Teen dies after fall from drop tower ride at Orlando's ICON PARK, authorities say Video shows teen fall from drop tower ride at ICON Park 'You guys are sure you checked him?' | 911 calls released in Orlando FreeFall death Operations manual shows boy exceeded attraction's weight limits Experts: Teen's safety harness was not properly secured before fall Company behind Orlando FreeFall owns other rides in and around Florida Operator made 'manual adjustments' to Tyre Sampson's seat, report says Tyre Sampson's family wins $310 million in lawsuit against ride manufacturer: Orlando Free Fall owner, Slingshot Group, appeals state fine, investigation into Tyre Sampson's death In December 2024, a Florida jury awarded Tyre Sampson's parents a total of $310 million in damages in a civil wrongful death lawsuit following Sampson's death. Funtime, the German-based ride manufacturer, did not attend the civil trial. The lawsuit alleged that Funtime could have installed a $660 harness that might have saved Sampson's life. The Source An Orlando-based law confirm filed a new lawsuit against the owner of Orlando FreeFall on March 19, 2025. Additional information from previous reporting by FOX 35, including interviews and press conferences with Tyre Sampson's parents, state investigations into Orlando FreeFall and Sampson's death, and the civil trial.
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Yahoo
Former technician files lawsuit alleging safety violations linked to ride death at ICON Park
A former technician alleges he reported safety issues with the Freefall ride before a fatal incident, faced retaliation, and was later terminated. The lawsuit, submitted by an Orlando-based law firm, claims that the former maintenance technician reported safety issues with the Freefall ride, that resulted in Tyre Sampson's death in 2022. Austin Alexander worked as a maintenance technician for Orlando Eagle Drop Slingshot from April 2021 to March 2023. According to the lawsuit, Alexander discovered several safety concerns with the FreeFall ride, which was located at ICON Park, starting in mid-January 2022. Safety issues include overridden sensors to accommodate large patrons over certain height and weight limits, overheated cylinders that prevented seats from securing properly, and cracks in the joints of the ride's metal structure. According to the lawsuit, every time Alexander noticed a safety concern, he would report it back to his supervisor, but the company continued to operate the ride without addressing the safety concerns. The lawsuit states that during the investigation into the minor's death, the lawsuit claims that Alexander was asked to falsify maintenance logs to make it appear as though certain tasks had been completed prior to the incident. After refusing to comply, Alexander stated he was placed on paid administrative leave for a year while the investigation was ongoing. The lawsuit states that Alecander's employment was terminated after the civil lawsuit was settled with the family of the minor. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
