The family of a teenager who fell to his death from a Florida amusement park ride has finally reached a settlement.
On March 24, 2022, 14-year-old Tyre Sampson was visiting the ICON Park on Internation Drive in Orlando. The teen was visiting Orlando from St. Louis via a football program, and had decided to ride an attraction known as the Orlando Free-Fall.
The 430-foot ride was one of the park's newest attractions, having just opened back in December 2021, and was boasted as "the world’s tallest free-standing drop tower". Per an Instagram post advertising the attraction, the ride tilts guests "30 degrees forward" and drops them "at over 75 mph".
But shortly after 11PM that night, tragedy struck, as Tyre fell to his death from the attraction. He was quickly transported to a nearby hospital, but shortly succumbed to his multiple injuries.
Per PEOPLE, an accident report later revealed that the 6ft 5" teen came out of his seat after the ride's "magnets engaged", but noted that Tyre's "harness was still in a down and locked position when the ride stopped".
Last year, the family's attorney said following the teen's autopsy findings: "The report also confirms that he was 74 inches tall and he weighed 383 pounds — and 383 pounds is 97 pounds higher than what the maximum requirements were for this ride. So if the ride would have implemented their own safety requirements, not allowing anyone more than 286 pounds to ride this dangerous ride, Tyre would've never been on the ride, he would be with us here today."
Following the tragedy, it was decided that the ride would be demolished, per the wishes of Tyre's family and the local community.
Tyre's mom, Nekia Dodd, recently visited the park while the deconstruction was underway, and told Fox 35: "My son took his last breath on this ride, so it's heartbreaking, it's devastating, it's a feeling I hope no other parent will ever have to go through after this ride comes down."
Dodd said that she wants nothing of the ride to remain following its demolishing.
A statement released by officials from the park said: "While the FreeFall ride is not owned and was not controlled or operated by ICON Park, because it is a tenant on the property, we agree with the owner's decision to dismantle the ride and our hearts are with the family as they witness this important milestone."
The grieving mom - along with Tyre's father, Yarnell Sampson - also filed a wrongful death lawsuit against ICON Park, the SlingShot Group (which owns the ride), ride manufacturer Fun Time Thrill Rides, and Gerstlauer Amusement Rides, which manufactured the seats and harnesses.
Attorneys Michael Haggard and Kimberly Wald of The Haggard Law Firm accompanied Dodd during her visit to the park on Wednesday (March 15), and revealed that a settlement had been reached between the park and Slingshot Group, with further details remaining undisclosed.
Last year, Tyre's father also spoke out about how his son had voiced his concerns about the ride prior to his death.
"He was panicking when he was going up," the father told Fox News 35. "When the ride took off, that’s when he was feeling uncomfortable. He was like, 'What’s going on?' That’s when he started freaking out, and he was explaining to his friend next to him, 'I don’t know man. If I don’t make it down, please tell my Mom and Daddy I love them.'
"For him to say something like that, he must have felt something," Mr. Sampson said.
Our thoughts continue to go out to Tyre's family and loved ones at this time.
