Having travelled with his football team to Orlando, Florida for spring break, 14-year-old Tyre Sampson from Missouri fell to his death on March 24, 2022 while riding the 400-foot-tall FreeFall ride at ICON Park in Orlando. After slipping from his seat Sampson fell at least 100 feet onto the hard pavement from the ride. Sampson's death was ruled accidental in which he suffered broken bones and internal injuries. Tyre weighed 383 pounds and was above the ride limit of about 285 pounds. Sampson's parents have filed multiple wrongful death lawsuits since the tragedy. This lawsuit case is against the ride manufacturers Funtime Handels and Gerstlauer Amusement Rides. The lawsuit accuses the companies of negligence, alleging they failed to ensure the ride was safe, did not adequately warn passengers about height and weight restrictions, and failed to provide proper restraints. A state investigation later revealed his seat had been manually adjusted to accommodate his size. |