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.

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.

Featured image credit: Jeffrey Isaac Greenberg 9+ / Alamy

The autopsy report of the teenager who died after falling from a Florida amusement park ride has revealed new details surrounding his death.

Back in March, 14-year-old Tyre Sampson passed away after falling from the Orlando Free-Fall ride at ICON Park on Internation Drive.

The 430-foot ride was one of the park's newest attractions, having just opened back in December.  The park boasted the ride as "the world’s tallest free-standing drop tower". Per a since-deleted Instagram post advertising the attraction, the ride tilts guests "30 degrees forward" and drops them "at over 75 mph".

Sampson was visiting the park with friends on the evening of March 24. However, at approximately 11:00PM, tragedy struck when Sampson was filmed falling from the towering attraction. Sampson was transported to a nearby hospital, but shortly succumbed to his devastating injuries.

Now, as reported by PEOPLE, the Orange County Medical Examiner has completed its autopsy report into the teenager's death.

It states that Sampson suffered extensive injuries from the fall, including a broken arm, a broken leg, multiple rib fractures, and a fractured jaw.

The report cites the 14-year-old's cause of death as blunt force trauma, with FOX35 and ABC News reporting that the manner Sampson's death has been ruled an accident.

However, The New York Post reports that the autopsy documents the teen's height as 74 inches tall and his weight as 383 pounds - which is reportedly significantly over the weight limit for the attraction.

The Post reports that a manual for the ride states: "Be careful when seeing if large guests fit into the seats. Check that they fit within the contours of the seat and the bracket fits properly. If this is not so — Do not let this person ride."

An attorney representing Sampson's family has since told PEOPLE that the teen's death was "unnecessary" and that the "severity in nature of his injuries is absolutely catastrophic and devastating".

The attorney continued: "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."

Back in April, it was reported that Nekia Dodd and Yarnell Sampson - the teen's parents - had filed a wrongful death lawsuit.

In response, the attorney for Orlando Slingshot said in a statement to People: "Orlando Slingshot continues to fully cooperate with the State during its investigation, and we will continue to do so until it has officially concluded."

"We reiterate that all protocols, procedures, and safety measures provided by the manufacturer of the ride were followed," the statement continued.

"We look forward to working with the Florida legislature to implement change in the industry and we are also supportive of the concepts outlined by State Representative Geraldine Thompson to make changes to state law through the 'Tyre Sampson Bill' to prevent a tragic accident like this from ever happening again."

A Gofundme has also been set up by Tyre's mom.

Featured image credit: Jeffrey Isaac Greenberg 9+ / Alamy

The father of the 14-year-old boy who fell to his death from an Orlando amusement park ride has spoken out about his son's final moments.

On Thursday evening, teenager Tyre Sampson passed away after falling from the Orlando Free-Fall ride at ICON Park on Internation Drive.

The 430-foot ride was one of the park's newest attractions, having just opened back in December, 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".

However, at around 11:00PM on March 24, tragedy struck as Tyre fell to his death from the attraction. Authorities say the boy was transported to a nearby hospital, but shortly succumbed to his injuries.

Now, the teenager's father - Yarnell Sampson - has spoken out about his son's final moments.

In an interview with Fox News 35, the grieving father revealed that Tyre was visiting Orlando from St. Louis through a football program, and had decided to ride the attraction with two of his friends.

But Sampson says that his son voiced his concerns about his safety 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.

"This should never happen to anyone else's child ever again, and if I have anything to do with this, it will not happen ever again," he added.

The father also revealed that his son was "an honor roll student" and had "a bright future". At 6ft 5" tall and 325lbs, he was also a promising young football player.

Speaking to KMOV, the boy's father added that his son was a fighter, adding: "I could not ask for a better son."

The New York Post has reported that the family has now enlisted personal injury attorney Ben Crump - who has also served as the representative for Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and Jacob Blake.

Fox News 35 reports that investigators with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services - which inspects amusement park attractions and rides - are investigating the tragedy. Additionally, local police have opened an investigation into the incident.

Per the ICON Park website, the Orlando Free-Fall is owned and operated by the Slingshot Group of Companies.

Our thoughts continue to go out to Tyre's family, friends, and loved ones, as well as all of those affected by this tragedy.

Featured image credit: Jeffrey Isaac Greenberg 9+ / Alamy

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.

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Parents of the teenager who fell to his death at an amusement park in Florida filed a wrongful death lawsuit on Monday.

The late 14-year-old Tyre Sampson died after falling from the Orlando FreeFall attraction at ICON park on March 24.

As per TMZ, Nekia Dodd and Yarnell Sampson - parents of the youngster - have filed a wrongful death lawsuit via attorneys Michael Haggard and Ben Crump.

According to the outlet, the suit was filed against ICON park and its pertinent associates, including creators and operators of the free fall.

In the complaint, Tyre's parents say their son was on spring break and was an honor-roll student and football player.

"Despite his prowess on the football field, he was known as a kind-hearted person who cared about others," the complaint reads, per People. "Tyre had a long and prosperous life in front of him that was cut short by this tragic event."

According to documents, Tyre's parents claim that the amusement park ride was "unreasonably dangerous" and that staff should've taken Tyre's 6 feet 2 height and 380-pound weight into consideration.

They also continued that, unlike most similar free-fall rides, the attraction "only had an over-the-shoulder harness to 'secure' riders" and that was in clear violation.

The attorney for Orlando Slingshot said in a statement to People: "Orlando Slingshot continues to fully cooperate with the State during its investigation, and we will continue to do so until it has officially concluded."

"We reiterate that all protocols, procedures, and safety measures provided by the manufacturer of the ride were followed," the statement continued.

"We look forward to working with the Florida legislature to implement change in the industry and we are also supportive of the concepts outlined by State Representative Geraldine Thompson to make changes to state law through the 'Tyre Sampson Bill' to prevent a tragic accident like this from ever happening again."

The father of the Missouri teenager said to NBC that the purpose of filing the wrongful death suit was to make a change.

“My son was Tyre Sampson, just 14 years old. He’s been taken away from me too soon," Yarnell said. "When you kiss your child and tell them you love them, you know, the raw emotions of that. I don’t have that choice. Or the chance no more to say that."

A Gofundme has been set up by Tyre's mom.

Our thoughts go out to Tyre's family and friends at this time.

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