A teenager has tragically lost his life after falling from a new amusement park ride in Orlando, Florida.
As reported by the New York Post, the unnamed 14-year-old was visiting the ICON Park on Internation Drive and opted to take a ride on one of the park's newest attractions - the Orlando Free-Fall.
However, as confirmed by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, the teen fell from the ride at around 11:00PM on Thursday (March 24). Park guests - including the boy's parents - watched as he fell, reports say.
Authorities say the boy was transported to a nearby hospital, but shortly succumbed to his injuries.
More on this story in the video below:In an Instagram post advertising the attraction, ICON Parks states that the Orlando Free-Fall is "the world’s tallest free-standing drop tower at a height of 430 feet" and offers riders a chance to get "a birds-eye view" of central Florida.
Additionally, the ride tilts guests "30 degrees forward" and drops them "at over 75 mph".
Fox News 35 reports that investigators with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services - which inspects amusement park attractions and rides - will be on the scene to investigate the tragedy.
Recalling the incident, one eyewitness told Fox News 35: "At first we thought it was a piece of the ride or whatever until we got a little closer and it was a person laying on the ground," before adding: "Everyone was just panicking and screaming."
John Stine, the director of sales and marketing for Slingshot Group of Companies (which owns and operates the ride), said that the ride was operating with "all the safety precautions in mind".
"Everything is in place and this is why we are doing this investigation," Stine added, per The Independent. Additionally, local police have opened an investigation into the incident.
Speaking to WFTV, Stine also said: "Our hearts are broken for that family of the young man, and, again, we're going to do everything we can to work with the investigating authorities to get to the matter of this [incident]."
The ride reportedly opened in December 2021, per another post on the ICON Park Instagram page. Reports say the ride will remain closed indefinitely following the teen's death.
Our thoughts are with the family of the victim, as well as all of those affected by this tragedy.