Orlando FreeFall: Crews work to dismantle 400-foot ride nearly one year after teenager died from falling off
Almost one year after 14-year-old Tyre Sampson tragically fell off of the 400-foot-tall Orlando FreeFall ride, crews are working to dismantle the ride. (Credit: FOX 35)
The Florida Legislature passed a bill aimed at implementing more stringent safety regulations for amusement park rides just over a year after 14-year-old Tyre Sampson fell from a ride and died.
Sampson died on March 24, 2022, after falling off the Orlando FreeFall at ICON Park in Orlando.
An operating manual for the ride states the maximum passenger weight is just over 286 pounds. Sampson was 6-foot-5 and reportedly weighed 360 pounds.
According to Bay News 9, SB 902, authored by state Sen. Geraldine Thompson, would require that permanent amusement park rides submit a commissioning and certification report with the state Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
Almost one year after 14-year-old Tyre Sampson tragically fell off of the 400-foot-tall Orlando FreeFall ride, crews are working to dismantle the ride. (FOX 35 Orlando)
The bill changes the circumstances that require ride owners to report an incident, which in some cases could result in it being shut down by the state.
Additionally, the bill requires signs that advise people of ride restrictions, such as maximum and minimum height and weight - something that was a focal point in Sampson's incident.
The bill would require that such signs be "prominently displayed" at the entrance of each ride.
If a ride has an operating manual that doesn't include such restrictions, the bill would require a qualified inspector to confirm that no restrictions exist.
The Orlando FreeFall drop tower in ICON Park in Orlando, Florida, is pictured on March 28, 2022. Tyre Sampson, 14, was killed when he fell from the ride. (Orlando Sentinel via Getty)
In previous comments to Fox News Digital, Thompson said that amusement park attendees need to know when restrictions exist on rides.
"We should make sure that there is signage as you approach the ride that indicates any height and weight restrictions," Thompson said. "It absolutely should be mandatory so that, as the consumer approaches the ride, he or she knows what the height and weight restrictions are, and family members and friends who were with that person would know what those restrictions are."
ORLANDO FREEFALL: OPERATING GROUP PLANS TO TAKE DOWN RIDE AFTER TEEN'S AMUSEMENT PARK DEATH
Orlando Slingshot, which operates the Orlando FreeFall, announced in October 2022 that the ride would be torn down. (FOX 35 Orlando)
A Twitter post showing the signage outside the Orlando FreeFall didn't include weight requirements, but did include a minimum and maximum height.
SB 904, a separate bill passed by the state Legislature, aims to make records regarding ongoing investigations on amusement park not available to the public.
If signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, the bills would take effect July 1.
Ritchie Armstrong, who works for Orlando Slingshot, which operates Orlando FreeFall, told Fox News Digital in a statement that the company is pleased that the "Tyre Sampson Act" passed.
"We are glad the Tyre Sampson Act was passed. We continue to be devoted to the safety of our patrons and have voiced our support for this legislation throughout the process in the legislature," Armstrong said.
The company that operated the Orlando FreeFall and Orlando Slingshot, has said that it supports the bill honoring Sampson.
Orlando Slingshot announced in October 2022 that the ride would be torn down.
Tourists enjoy the rides and amenities at ICON Park in Orlando, March 24, 2022. International Drive, long considered a tourist-centered stretch between Orlando's major theme parks, has thrived during the pandemic by rebranding itself as a place for locals to gather too. The Orlando FreeFall ride is the tallest structure in the middle (orange tower) and the Orlando SlingShot ride is the two lower towers behind (purple). (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel via AP, File)
"Orlando Slingshot announced it has decided to take down the 400-foot-tall FreeFall ride attraction on International Drive. The decision resulted from the accidental death of Tyre Sampson on March 24," the company said in a statement.
The ride has been closed since the incident happened.
Nikki Fried, former Florida commissioner of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, said maladjustments made to the seat's proximity sensor triggered the safety light, incorrectly allowing Sampson to ride even though he was not "properly secured in the seat."
"These maladjustments 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," Fried said. "The report confirms that manual adjustments had been made to the sensor for the seat in question that allowed the harness' restraint opening to be almost double that of the normal restraints opening range."
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Tourists enjoy the rides and amenities at ICON Park in Orlando on Thursday, March 24, 2022. International Drive, long considered a tourist-centered stretch between Orlando's major theme parks, has thrived during the pandemic by rebranding itself as a place for locals to gather too. The Orlando FreeFall ride is pictured. A 14-year-old boy died after falling from the Orlando FreeFall ride on March 24. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
A report by the department states the harness of the seat Sampson was in had a proximity sensor that "was manually loosened, adjusted, and tightened to allow a restraint opening of near 7 inches."
Normally, the range is around 3 inches, according to the report.
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