Latest news with #OrlandoFreeFall
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Yahoo
Tyre Sampson: Teen remembered 3 years after fatal fall from Orlando thrill ride
Monday marks three years since a teenager fell from the Orlando Free Fall drop tower ride and died. Tyre Sampson was just 14 years old when it happened. Investigators say he was visiting ICON Park from out of town. They said he slipped from his seat, which had been modified to fit larger riders. Tyre's parents later sued the ride manufacturer. In December, a jury ruled that the company should pay them $310 million. In the wake of the tragedy, state lawmakers passed the Tyre Sampson Act. The law requires clear signage for height and weight limits, expands operator training, and mandates stricter maintenance rules. There are also unannounced inspections to ensure compliance, plus a new seat belt requirement for rides over 100 feet tall. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
CBS News
20-03-2025
- CBS News
Technician says safety concerns ignored by Florida thrill ride operator before teen's deadly fall
A maintenance technician alleged on Wednesday that he raised safety issues with the operators of a central Florida amusement ride before a 14-year-old boy fell to his death , but his concerns were never addressed. Austin Campbell-Alexander said in the state whistleblower lawsuit that the Orlando Free Fall ride at Icon Park had sensors which were modified to accommodate people whose height or weight were outside safety limits . He also alleged that overheated cylinders prevented seats from securing properly and that the drop ride's metal structure had cracks in its joints. Campbell-Alexander also said he and his colleagues weren't given any training on ride maintenance or patron safety. "He brought these concerns to his manager and the owner of the ride, and basically they didn't do what they should have done," Greg Schmitz, one of his attorneys, said in a phone interview. Trevor Arnold, an attorney for the ride operators, said in an email that Campbell-Alexander's claims were in direct conflict with statements he provided after the accident. "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," Arnold said. "Upon learning of Mr. Campbell-Alexander's and other employees' conduct, we proactively notified investigating authorities." Tyre Sampson fell 70 feet to his death on March 24, 2022. A football standout who stood 6 foot, 2 inches tall and weighed 380 pounds, he was visiting Orlando on spring break from the St. Louis area. Sampson went with friends to the amusement park on International Drive in the heart of the region's tourism district, and they rode the Orlando Free Fall, which placed 30 riders in seats attached to a tower. Each passenger was secured with a shoulder harness before the ride lifted them up the tower and then dropped them 430 feet. Because of Sampson's size, the harness didn't lock properly and he was ejected from his seat when the ride braked, authorities said. Campbell-Alexander wasn't present during the accident, but he has suffered depression and anxiety since then, Schmitz said. He said that after Sampson's death, he was asked to backfill blank maintenance logs showing that tasks had been performed in the weeks before the accident. Campbell-Alexander refused and was put on paid administrative leave for a year and not permitted to return to the property, the lawsuit said. After Sampson's family reached a settlement with the ride's operators, Campbell-Alexander was fired. His attorneys said it was retaliation for the safety concerns he had flagged. Sampson's family also won a $310 million verdict against the attraction's Austrian builder last year. The lawsuit filed in state court in Orlando said Campbell-Alexander is seeking more than $50,000. Schmitz said it should include back pay, compensatory damages and punitive damages. "It was just very traumatic from his perspective, working there," Schmitz said.
CBS News
20-03-2025
- CBS News
Tech claims Orlando thrill ride operator ignored safety concerns he raised before teen fell to his death
Orlando, Fla. — A maintenance technician alleged on Wednesday that he raised safety issues with the operators of a central Florida amusement ride before a 14-year-old boy fell to his death but his concerns were never addressed. Austin Campbell-Alexander said in the state whistleblower lawsuit that the Orlando Free Fall ride at Icon Park had sensors that were modified to accommodate people whose height or weight were outside safety limits. He also alleged that overheated cylinders prevented seats from securing properly and that the drop ride's metal structure had cracks in its joints. Campbell-Alexander also said he and his colleagues weren't given any training on ride maintenance or patron safety. "He brought these concerns to his manager and the owner of the ride, and basically they didn't do what they should have done," Greg Schmitz, one of his attorneys, said in a phone interview. Trevor Arnold, an attorney for the ride operators, said in an email that Campbell-Alexander's claims were in direct conflict with statements he provided after the accident. "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," Arnold said. "Upon learning of Mr. Campbell-Alexander's and other employees' conduct, we proactively notified investigating authorities." CBS Orlando affiliate WKMG-TV reports that Arnold was among attorneys who provided the station with a statement adding that, "Mr. Campbell-Alexander's claims are in direct conflict with statements he provided following the accident, which will no doubt be demonstrated in Court." Tyre Sampson fell 70 feet to his death on March 24, 2022. A football standout who was 6 foot, 2 inches tall and weighed 380 pounds, he was visiting Orlando on spring break from the St. Louis area. Tyre Sampson's mother says his death could've been prevented: "My personal opinion, it's murder" Sampson went with friends to the amusement park on International Drive in the heart of the region's tourism district, and they rode the Orlando Free Fall, which placed 30 riders in seats attached to a tower. Each passenger was secured with a shoulder harness before the ride lifted them up the tower and then dropped them 430 feet. Because of Sampson's size , the harness didn't lock properly and he was ejected from his seat when the ride braked, authorities said. Campbell-Alexander wasn't present during the accident, but he has suffered depression and anxiety since then, Schmitz said. He said that after Sampson's death, he was asked to backfill blank maintenance logs showing that tasks had been performed in the weeks before the accident. Campbell-Alexander refused and was put on paid administrative leave for a year and not permitted to return to the property, the lawsuit said. After Sampson's family reached a settlement with the ride's operators , Campbell-Alexander was fired. His attorneys said it was retaliation for the safety concerns he had flagged. Sampson's family also won a $310 million verdict against the attraction's Austrian builder last year. The lawsuit filed in state court in Orlando said Campbell-Alexander is seeking more than $50,000. Schmitz said it should include back pay, compensatory damages and punitive damages. "It was just very traumatic from his perspective, working there," Schmitz said. The ride has since been dismantled .
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.
CNN
19-03-2025
- CNN
Technician says Florida thrill ride operator ignored his safety concerns before teen's fatal fall
A maintenance technician alleged on Wednesday that he raised safety issues with the operators of a central Florida amusement ride before a 14-year-old boy fell to his death, but his concerns were never addressed. Austin Campbell-Alexander said in the state whistleblower lawsuit that the Orlando Free Fall ride at Icon Park had sensors which were modified to accommodate people whose height or weight were outside safety limits. He also alleged that overheated cylinders prevented seats from securing properly and that the drop ride's metal structure had cracks in its joints. Campbell-Alexander also said he and his colleagues weren't given any training on ride maintenance or patron safety. 'He brought these concerns to his manager and the owner of the ride, and basically they didn't do what they should have done,' Greg Schmitz, one of his attorneys, said in a phone interview. A spokeswoman for the ride operators didn't immediately respond to an emailed inquiry. Tyre Sampson fell 70 feet (21 meters) to his death on March 24, 2022. A football standout who stood 6 foot, 2 inches tall (1.9 meters) and weighed 380 pounds (172 kilograms), he was visiting Orlando on spring break from the St. Louis area. Sampson went with friends to the amusement park on International Drive in the heart of the region's tourism district, and they rode the Orlando Free Fall, which placed 30 riders in seats attached to a tower. Each passenger was secured with a shoulder harness before the ride lifted them up the tower and then dropped them 430 feet (131 meters). Because of Sampson's size, the harness didn't lock properly and he was ejected from his seat when the ride braked, authorities said. Campbell-Alexander wasn't present during the accident, but he has suffered depression and anxiety since then, Schmitz said. He said that after Sampson's death, he was asked to backfill blank maintenance logs showing that tasks had been performed in the weeks before the accident. Campbell-Alexander refused and was put on paid administrative leave for a year and not permitted to return to the property, the lawsuit said. After Sampson's family reached a settlement with the ride's operators, Campbell-Alexander was fired. His attorneys said it was retaliation for the safety concerns he had flagged. Sampson's family also won a $310 million verdict against the attraction's Austrian builder last year. The lawsuit filed in state court in Orlando said Campbell-Alexander is seeking more than $50,000. Schmitz said it should include back pay, compensatory damages and punitive damages. 'It was just very traumatic from his perspective, working there,' Schmitz said.
