WPBN: The family of the teenager who died after falling from one of the theme park attractions in Orlando has been awarded $310 million in damages by a Florida jury.
In March 2022, 14-year-old Tyre Sampson died after falling while riding the FreeFall drop tower attraction at ICON Park. Sampson had fallen more than 100 feet to the ground after slipping out of his harness, even though riders are harnessed in when they drop more than 400 feet.
According to local media, the ride operator adjusted two seats to accommodate Sampson’s size. According to the report, Sampson was 100 pounds over the rider’s safe weight limit. The ride’s German owner, Funtime Handels, was sued by his parents for wrongful death. Funtime Handels is in charge of Nekia Dodd and Yarnell Sampson, who were each given $155 million by the jury.
Sampson and his pals were on spring break in Orlando from St. Louis, Missouri, when they rode the FreeFall, and Sampson plunged to his death. The skyscraper was hailed as the “world’s tallest” of its kind.
Since then, the ride has been taken apart.
Funtime Handels was careless with even the simplest matters, such as fitting seat belts, which would have cost $22 per seat, or $680 to secure the entire ride, according to a statement from Hilliard Law, which represented the Sampson family.
“This was a heartbreaking and wholly preventable tragedy,” Attorney Michael Richardson stated. “The evidence was clear: Safety was sacrificed for profit. This verdict not only seeks to deliver justice for Tyre’s family but also sends a strong message to the amusement industry about prioritizing the safety of their guests.”
The Tyre Sampson Act, passed by Florida politicians, mandates that amusement rides taller than 100 feet must have both seat belts and harnesses. Additionally, independent regulatory bodies must check and certify them.
