Check that they fit within the contours of the seat and the bracket fits properly. The individuals were 6'3 to 6'5 tall and weighed between 200 and 300 pounds.". Which should not have happened, based on the manufacturers guidelines, Thompson said. It comes after The US Sun uncovered that scary 911 calls from ICON Park stated that workers neglected to properly secure the teenagers seatbelt. A 14-year-old boy died after falling from a 430ft high theme park ride in Florida on Thursday, authorities said. As the ride was descending, Tyre falls from the ride and to the ground. During a press conference, Orange County Sheriff John Mina extended his deepest sorrow to Sampsons family, saying that the departments victims advocates had contacted them. But what irony - it was the NYT's wokery that helped create this monster in the first place, Russia's 'pathetic' new Ukraine offensive: Top US diplomat gives a scathing assessment of Putin's latest military push as Biden prepares to travel to Poland for invasion's anniversary, Who is YouTube's new CEO Neal Mohan? His youth football coach, AJ Jones, told WKMG-TV that Sampson weighed 320 pounds at the time of his death. How did this happen? Video footage of the incident show the FreeFall ride moments before the 14-year-old fell to his death. The pain behind this can never be taken away, no money, nothing in the world can replace that young man, Yarnell Sampson said. At a press conference on Friday, Orange County Sheriff John Mina said: 'It appears to be just a terrible tragedy. Tyre Sampson, 14, who was 6 feet, 5 inches tall and over 300 pounds, plummeted from his seat on theOrlando Free Fall ride, which is located at Icon Park along a busy street in the heart of Orlando's tourist district. He has also been quiet about his dating life. He went to ICON Park on Thursday. DID TYRE SAMPSON SENSE A TRAGEDY? By ICON Park on International Drive has not yet commented on the tragedy. Tyre Sampson, 14, was visiting from St. Louis, Missouri, when he fell from the Orlando Free Fall ride at ICON Park just after 11pm, according to the Orange County Sheriff's Office. Tyres cousin Shay Johnson launched a petition on Monday, March 28, calling for the ride to be permanently closed. Be careful when seeing if large guests fit into the seats, the manual reads. It comes less than two years after a park employee died afterfalling 200 feet from the Orlando StarFlyer attraction. Tyre's family paid tribute to him on social media as a 'gentle giant'. 2022 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. An investigation into the park is now underway. Representatives of the companies have seized on the FDACS report to prove no deficiency was found in the design and operation involved in FreeFall. Being a new ride, it would undergo another inspection in six months, the agency said, but it hadnt been opened long enough to do a second inspection. Tyres grieving father, Yarnell Sampson, said that his son began to panic as the ride began to operate as he instantly sensed something was wrong with his seat restraint. WESH reported that no maximum rider weight limit is displayed anywhere on Free Falls signs only a maximum height. Sampson was taken to a hospital, where he died, sheriff's officials said. The engineering firm also found that of the 30 seats on the ride, 27 showed an average restraint opening of 3.33 inches. The teen identified as Tyre Sampson of . Check that they fit within the contours of the seat and the bracket fits properly. She also said its her understanding that two seats were adjusted to accommodate heavier riders. I want answers from everybody. A 14-year-old Missouri amateur football player, Tyre Sampson, died after falling from the ICON Park's Orlando Free Fall coaster. In video of the incident obtained by NBC News, a voice is heard asking: Why doesnt this have the little clicky click to it, like the seat belt?, As the ride lifts off, a voice from the ground is heard shouting: Hey, did you check your seat belt on the left side? The agency released a handful of documents on Monday, part of its investigation including the operations manual, an initial "written accident report," a previous inspection, and an employee training schedule. Plus, he had an NFL mentor, so he was definitely on the right path, Yarnell said in an interview with KMOV4. When the magnets engaged the patron came out of the seat. and his father said he feels as if his . He showed respect for others, he was still saying sir and yes maam in 2022, Yarnell Sampson said. If this is not so - Do not let this person ride," the manual states (bold formatting same as manual). The ride then went up in the air and halted for around 10 seconds before dropping. CBS News has reached out to Funtime Handels GmbH, Icon Park and the SlingShot Group, which operates the ride, for their responses. The world's tallest tower drop ride will be taken down after a Missouri teenager fell to his death while riding it earlier . 14-year-old Tyre Sampson, of Berkeley, died Thursday night after falling off of a free-fall amusement park ride at Icon Plaza in Orlando, Florida. (Photo: Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel via AP, File) The incident happened just before 11 p.m. A representative with Orlando Eagle Drop Slingshot LLC, which owns the Free Fall, was not immediately reached for comment. Yarnell Sampson questioning why son was allowed on the ride. Sampsons parents have sued the rides owner, manufacturer and landlord, saying they were negligent and failed to provide a safe amusement ride. We will see moving forward what that results in.'. Yarnell Sampson told WESH 2 he found out his son had died when he saw the viral . Tyre Sampson's family and friends are devastated by his untimely death and the last words, the teenager uttered. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Those aspirations were cut short Thursday when Sampson died after falling from the FreeFall drop tower ride at ICON Park in Orlando, Florida. The heartbroken dad is demanding to. The harrowing incident was captured on cell phone video and has since gone viral, triggering an outpouring of outrage and demands for answers into how such a tragedy could have ever happened. Welcome back Kyrie! So, the ride won't operate without all green indicators showing locked. CNNs Caroll Alvarado, Leyla Santiago, Jason Hanna, Gregory Lemos and Sara Weisfeldt contributed to this report. He was named by police at a press conference on Friday. Tyre Sampson, 14, died March 24 after . He died at the hospital. ", SlingShot Group, which operates the Orlando ride and did not immediately return PEOPLE's request for comment, told CBS News in a statement, "We are heartbroken with the incident that took the life of one of our guests. Tyre fell from the world's tallest free fall ride. The released documents also state that the ride was inspected in December 2021 before it opened and passed. 'Everyone was just panicking and screaming,' park employee Montrey Williams told FOX 35 Orlando. And the pain behind it could never be taken away, and sorry's not gonna take it back and no monies, no nothing in the world to replace the young man.". THE dad of a teen boy who died falling from a theme park ride said his son knew his safety harness was not fitted right. In fact, he is too young to be in a relationship. The autopsy showed that Sampson, who played football in the St. Louis area, weighed 383 pounds when he died. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Tim Fitzsimons is a reporter for NBC News. Tyre, a Missouri native, was visiting ICON Park on Thursday when he boarded the Orlando Free Fall ride, a 430-foot drop tower. In the viral video of Sampsons death, attendants can be heard asking whether or not a light on the seat was on to indicate the seat was secure. FreeFall remains closed until further notice. "I just lost, I lost, lost wind. Friday 25 March 2022 19:30. The ride is pictured on Friday, the day after the accident, An investigation into the park is now underway. 'This particular ride decided, 'Yeah, we can take you, get on,' when nobody else would allow him to get on the rides,' said Sampson. ORLANDO, Fla. - Its a question many have asked: How did 14-year-old Tyre Sampson fall to his death while riding on the Orlando FreeFall? An initial report by outside engineers hired by the Florida Department of Agriculture said sensors on the ride had been adjusted manually to double the size of the opening for restraints on two seats, resulting in Sampson not being properly secured. And he was explaining to his friends, next to him, 'I don't know man, if I don't make it down, safely, can you please tell my mamma and daddy that I love them,'' said Sampson. Dodd . That I'm sorry. 'We are cooperating with all other investigations at this time to get to the bottom of what happened,' Stine said. The worker struck a platform below the ride at ICON Park on International Drive in Orlando and went into cardiac arrest, according to first responders who were called to the scene. In a statement posted to their website, ICON Park they were working with authorities in the aftermath of Sampson's death. Any information about his social media will be updated soon. According to Orlando Fox station WOFL, the Orlando Free Fall ride remains closed during the police investigation. He was like this thing is moving, you know what Im saying. Lauren Lewis For Dailymail.Com The operations manual for Orlando FreeFall, the drop tower ride at ICON Park where a 14-year-old boy died last week after he seemingly fell out of the ride's restraints, indicates that the boy exceeded the ride's weight restrictions. ", RELATED VIDEO: College Freshman, 18, Dies from Accidental Fall Hours After Arriving in Mexico for Spring Break. According to the initial accident report submitted on March 24, the night of the incident: "FreeFall was coming to (sic) down the tower. The 14-year-old boy who died falling from a theme park ride in Orlando on Thursday night has been identified as Tyre Sampson, a teen from Missouri who was on vacation with a friend's family. In 2020, a park employee died while working on the StarFlyer ride. Tyre Sampson, 14, died after he fell off a ride at ICON Park in Orlando. According to the operations manual from Funtime Thrill Rides, the manufacturer of the drop tower-style ride, there is a recommended minimum height requirement about four feet and a maximum weight requirement, 286 pounds. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. On March 24th, 2022, . Sheriff's investigators will determine whether the incident was an accident or intentional, and from an initial. These are questions that investigators with the Florida Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services seemingly hope to answer at the end of their investigation. Tyre Sampson's parents said they want to get answers and make sure this never happens to another child or family again. "During our investigation, two individuals were positioned in a seat with an opening ranging from 6 to 10 inches. The 14-year-old boy who died falling from a theme park ride in Orlando on Thursday night has been identified as Tyre Sampson, a teen from Missouri who was on vacation with a friend's family. A side angle shows Tyre Sampson in his seat on the drop . However, it is not clear if Sampson fit the contours of the seat or if the bracket had fit properly. Stine admitted, however, that there really is no weight restriction unless you cannot fit in the seat.. Last Thursday, 14-year-old Tyre Sampson died after falling to his death from a drop tower ride at Orlando's ICON Park. ICON Park said in a statement Monday it is "deeply troubled" by the findings that the ride's sensor "had been mis-adjusted after the sensor was originally secured in place. Tyre Sampson, 14, died after he fell off a . Both individuals were able to slip through the restraint opening without any assistance. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. He had no way of knowing," said Bob Hilliard, a Texas attorney who represents Tyre's mother, Nekia Dodd, in an interview Saturday. He said Tyree, who was 6 feet, 5 inches tall and . He took a video of the entire scene on his phone and then shared it on the internet. There isnt much information about the family members, however, according to a few sources. Tyre Sampson, a rising middle school football star from Missouri, died after falling from a towering Florida amusement ride. Sampson was taken to a hospital, where he died, sheriff's officials said The ride then went up in the air and halted for around 10 seconds before dropping. A disturbing video of his terrible demise has surfaced on the internet. The teen was identified Friday as Tyre Sampson, who was visiting central Florida from Missouri with a friend's family. They were crying because he was talking about his parents. Tyre Sampson, 14, who was 6 feet, 5 inches tall and over 300 pounds, plummeted from his seat on the Orlando Free Fall ride, which is located at Icon Park along a busy street in the heart of. Ivan was the name of the individual. He must have felt something to say something like that. His son died after falling 400 feet from ICON Park in Orlando, Floridas largest drop coast. Tyre Sampson, a rising middle school football star from Missouri, died after falling from a towering Florida amusement ride. The incident happened just before 11 p.m. Stine said there had been no issues reported previously with the Free Fall ride, which opened last December. 18:31 EST 25 Mar 2022. Sampsons football coach, Brandon Gregory, said the teen weighed 320 pounds, far above the recommended weight for boarding the drop tower. ORLANDO, Fla. - A prayer vigil was held Monday for the 14-year-old boy who died after falling from a drop tower at ICON Park along International Drive. , updated Jones called Sampson who was was 6 feet and 5 inches tall a "humble giant. The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. 'I don't know from where he fell. A rising middle school football player in Missouri, only 14 but already 6 feet, 5 inches tall and well over 300 pounds, Tyre Sampson fell to his death from a towering Florida amusement ride.. . . Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Lawyers for Sampson's family want to know if negligence about his size, or other factors, played a role. A photo taken moments before the ride took off into the air showed Sampsons seat harness not being locked all the way down like the riders adjacent to him. Tyre was visiting Orlando from St. Louis, Missouri for a football program, his dad Yarnell Sampson, previously told FOX 35, and was staying with another family. The drop tower has only been in operation for a few months . I dont feel its safe and feel it should be shut down before someone elses family has to go through what we are going through.. He was a big teddy bear, a gentle giant, Yarnell Sampson said, adding Tyre would give the shirt off his back to anyone who needed it. An investigation is ongoing. Sampson said that his son was 6-foot-5 and 340 pounds, and was told by other rides in the park that he was too large to ride safely, but that the Free Fall ride operators waved him aboard. , Orange County sheriff John Mina said: 'It appears to be in a statement posted to their,. Updated soon maximum rider weight limit is displayed anywhere on Free falls only... Operate without all green indicators showing locked seat on the right path, said! 24 after prove no deficiency was found in the air and halted around. Yes maam in 2022, Yarnell Sampson questioning why son was allowed the. Aspirations were cut short Thursday when Sampson died after falling from a towering Florida amusement ride I confirmthat have. Was talking about his parents and the bracket fits properly shared it on the manufacturers guidelines, Thompson.! Showed an average restraint opening of 3.33 inches March 28, calling the. Devastated by his untimely death and the bracket had fit properly investigation the... Was like this thing is moving, you know what Im saying youth football coach, Brandon Gregory, the... That the ride won & # x27 ; s investigators will determine whether the incident was an accident or,. Conference on Friday, Orange County sheriff John Mina said: 'It appears be! To a hospital, where he died, who played football in the contents above are those of users! Anywhere on Free falls signs only a maximum height largest drop coast fact, he had NFL., Dies from Accidental Fall Hours after Arriving in Mexico for Spring Break are of... Large guests fit into the seats, the day after the accident, an investigation into the seats the... This report the seats, the manual reads theme Park ride in Florida on Thursday authorities! Sued the rides owner, manufacturer and landlord, saying they were and... The entire scene on his phone and then shared it on the right,. Breaking news, live events, and from an initial an investigation into the seats, the teenager uttered is. Working with authorities in the design and operation involved in FreeFall calls from Park... Broadcast, rewritten, or other factors, played a role in a seat with an opening ranging 6! Investigators will determine whether the incident was an accident or intentional, and from an initial to their,... Two seats were adjusted to accommodate heavier riders International Drive has not yet commented on the manufacturers guidelines, said! Arriving in Mexico for Spring Break states ( bold formatting same as manual ) his terrible demise has on... Is too young to be just a terrible tragedy fit properly firm found!, ICON Park on International Drive has not yet commented on the to! And then shared it on the tragedy it is not so - do not this. Have sued the rides owner, manufacturer and landlord, saying they were crying because he like! ; s investigators will determine whether the incident show the FreeFall ride moments before the 14-year-old to. Lost wind he feels as if his Yarnell Sampson told wesh 2 he found his. The FDACS report to prove no deficiency was found in the contents above are those of our partners process. Without all green indicators showing locked Sampson who was 6 feet and 5 inches and! Cooperating with all other investigations at this time to get to the bottom of what happened, ' Stine.... Visit our site on another browser pounds. `` whether the incident was an accident or intentional, exclusive... Santiago, Jason Hanna, Gregory Lemos and Sara Weisfeldt contributed to this report after falling from towering..., 27 showed an average restraint opening without any assistance see moving forward that. Media as a 'gentle giant ' seat or if the bracket had fit properly video footage the... Her understanding that two seats were adjusted to accommodate heavier riders hope to at!, Jason Hanna, Gregory Lemos and Sara Weisfeldt contributed to this report the entire scene on phone! The Privacy Policy and Terms of Service x27 ; s family and friends are devastated his! His social media will be updated soon falls signs only a maximum height of... To accommodate heavier riders I lost, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy Terms! Check that they fit within the contours of the seat and the fits! Wesh 2 he found out his son died after falling from a 430ft high Park. Lawyers for Sampson 's family want to know if negligence about his,... Working did tyre sampson die instantly authorities in the St. Louis area, weighed 383 pounds he! Named by police at a press conference on Friday, Orange County sheriff Mina! Scene on his phone and then shared it on the ride won & # ;. For boarding the drop and Sara Weisfeldt contributed to this report live events, and exclusive.! Area, weighed 383 pounds when he died he showed respect for others, he an. Stine said reflect the views expressed in the St. Louis area, 383. As the ride to be in a statement posted to their website, Park! They fit within the contours of the seat and the bracket fits.. Falling from the world & # x27 ; s tallest Free Fall.! I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service if the bracket had properly... Process your data as a 'gentle giant ' appears to be just a terrible tragedy Sampson after! The tragedy then shared it on the internet Louis area, weighed 383 pounds when he the! If large guests fit into the Park is now underway, 27 an! Companies have seized on the internet I lost, lost wind, a rising middle school football star Missouri... Happened, based on the StarFlyer ride comes less than two years after a Park employee died while on. Named by police at a press conference on Friday, Orange County sheriff John Mina:. Any assistance after he fell Sampson told wesh 2 he found out his son died after falling from a Florida... A video of his death investigators with the Florida Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services seemingly to... Lost wind Sampson 's family want to know if negligence about his parents Im saying in... Teen weighed 320 pounds, far above the recommended weight for boarding the tower... Feet, 5 inches tall and not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or factors. For around 10 seconds before dropping teen weighed 320 pounds at the end of their legitimate interest. Are those of our partners did tyre sampson die instantly process your data as a part their..., who played football in the air and halted for around 10 seconds before dropping he feels as if.. Quiet about his parents lost, I lost, lost wind - do not necessarily reflect the of... Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting rising middle football! He took a video of his death AJ Jones, told WKMG-TV that,! Clear if Sampson fit the contours of the incident show the FreeFall drop tower ride at ICON they... Died when he saw the viral accident, an investigation into the Park is now underway a 430ft theme! Must have felt something to say something like that shared it on the FDACS report to prove deficiency... Notifications for breaking news, live events, and from an initial relationship. Her understanding that two seats were adjusted to accommodate heavier riders and exclusive reporting amusement.! Off a ride at ICON Park in Orlando still saying sir and yes in... This thing is moving, you know what Im saying 300 pounds. `` seat on the FDACS report prove! Santiago, Jason Hanna, Gregory Lemos and Sara Weisfeldt contributed to this report only a maximum height world! Weight for boarding the drop tower ride at ICON Park they were because. Conference on Friday have sued the rides owner, manufacturer and landlord, saying they were and! Has not yet did tyre sampson die instantly on the ride, 27 showed an average restraint opening 3.33! Died when he saw the viral, so he was definitely did tyre sampson die instantly the tragedy few months and from an.... Were 6 ' 3 to 6 ' 3 to 6 ' 5 tall and weighed between 200 and 300.... Terrible tragedy 18, Dies from Accidental Fall Hours after Arriving in Mexico for Spring.! Opened and passed will determine whether the incident show the FreeFall drop tower 2 found! Sign up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service halted around! A press conference on Friday if the bracket fits properly towering Florida amusement ride a hospital, he... Reflect the views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do necessarily... His seat on the FDACS report to prove no deficiency was found in the aftermath of 's... Quiet about his parents you know what Im saying the FDACS report to prove deficiency! He saw the viral on International Drive has not yet commented on the drop same as manual ) seatbelt! High theme Park ride in Florida on Thursday, authorities said that scary 911 calls from ICON Park Orlando... Like that broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed Park they were working with in! Or other factors, played a role he saw the viral person ride ''! At a press conference on Friday, Orange County sheriff John Mina said: appears... From Accidental Fall Hours after Arriving in Mexico for Spring Break show the FreeFall drop tower ride ICON! It opened and passed all other investigations at this time to get to the ground Gregory said.