Teen who died after falling from 430ft ride may have been too heavy for it

A 14-year-old boy who fell to his death from an amusement park ride may have been too heavy for the attraction.

Tyre Sampson slipped out of his seat and dropped to the ground while riding the 430 ft FreeFall ride at ICON Park Florida on March 24.

According to the ride's manual, the maximum weight for passengers is 287 pounds. Tyre's dad Yarnell Sampson told Fox 35 News that his son was 6'5'' and weighed around 340 pounds, putting him well over the limit.

"Be careful when seeing if large guests fit into the seats. Check that they fit within the contours of the seat and that the bracket fits properly. If this is not so, do not let this person ride," reads the manual per CNN.

In an incident report seen by CNN and sent to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), it was stated that Tyre was properly locked into his seat, but that he came out of it regardless. "When the magnets engaged, the patron came out of the seat. Harness was still in a down and locked position when the ride stopped," the report reads.

Sampson said his son was a "big guy", adding that he was not allowed on other rides at the ICON park because of his size.

"This one particular ride said, 'We can take you, come on! Get on!' No one else allowed him to get on the ride, so I'm wondering what happened between now and then that made them say, 'Come on, get this ride!'" Sampson recalled in an interview Fox35 last week.

ICON Park in Orlando. Credit: Zuma Press / Alamy

In a terrifying clip of the accident that has since been shared on social media, the Missouri teen can be seen slipping out of his harness when the free-fall ride is halfway down its 430-foot descent. He was in Orlando with his football team for spring break.

The ride has been closed ever since the tragic accident occurred. Per the New York Post, Tyre's family has launched a new petition calling for the ride’s closure to be permanent.

Featured Image Credit: VIAVAL / Alamy