The Florida Legislature passed the ‘Tyre Sampson Act’ on 3 May, more than a year after the 14-year-old fell to his death while on the Orlando FreeFall ride at ICON Park.
The bill, SB 902, adds safety standards and measures for amusement rides in Florida, Fox 35 reports.
It requires that permanent amusement rides submit a commissioning and certification report with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
It also requires further testing and verifications, updates requirements for when operators have to report accidents or injuries, and sets training and retraining standards for staff.
Orlando FreeFall ride death
Tyre Sampson‘s parents, Nekia Dodd and Yarnell Sampson, filed a wrongful death lawsuit in April 2022 and reached a settlement in March 2023.
“My number one goal as Tyre’s mother is to make sure this horrific tragedy never repeats itself. I do not want any mother to go through what I have endured over the past year,” Dodd said.
“I urge Florida’s governor to sign this bill which will make all amusement rides safer for children,” she added.
Per a report in Fox News Digital, the bill requires signs to be “prominently displayed” at the entrance of each ride showing restrictions such as maximum and minimum height and weight.
An operating manual for the Orlando FreeFall ride states the maximum passenger weight is just over 286 pounds. Sampson weighed 360 pounds.
Ritchie Armstrong, who works for Orlando FreeFall operator the Slingshot Group, told the publication: “We are glad the Tyre Sampson Act was passed.
“We continue to be devoted to the safety of our patrons and have voiced our support for this legislation throughout the process in the legislature.”
Earlier this year, the Slingshot Group took down the Orlando FreeFall. The 430-foot-tall attraction was closed after the teenager died on 24 March 2022.
If signed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, the bill would take effect on 1 July.
Images: ICON Park
