The Slingshot Group has confirmed that it will take down the Orlando FreeFall ride at ICON Park, from which 14-year-old Tyre Sampson fell to his death in March.
The 430-foot-tall attraction has been closed at Florida’s ICON Park since the teenager died. An investigation previously found Sampson was nearly 100 pounds over the weight limit.
Sampson’s family had called for the ride to be taken down, CNN reports. They filed a still-pending wrongful death lawsuit against several entities, including the park and the ride’s operator and manufacturer.
The Slingshot Group’s Ritchie Armstrong released the following statement on 6 October:
“We are devastated by Tyre’s death. We have listened to the wishes of Tyre’s family and the community, and have made the decision to take down the FreeFall.
“In addition, Orlando Slingshot will honor Tyre and his legacy in the classroom and on the football field by creating a scholarship in his name.”
ICON Park said it supports the decision to take down the Orlando FreeFall. The theme park‘s statement in response to the Slingshot Group’s move is as follows:
“Tyre’s death is a tragedy that we will never forget. As the landlord, ICON Park welcomes and appreciates Orlando Slingshot’s decision to take down the ride.”
Tyre Sampson fell from 430-foot-tall ride
Personal injury attorneys Ben Crump and Bob Hilliard representing Tyre’s father Yarnell Sampson released the following statement after the attraction’s operator announced it would be torn down:
“While this announcement is long overdue, the news today is a relief to Tyre Sampson’s grieving father, who has been advocating for this since the day Tyre fell to his death.
“The Orlando FreeFall ride never should have been permitted to operate under those faulty conditions. Theme parks, their parent companies, and regulatory agencies must do better to prevent this kind of tragedy from happening to any other family.”
Images: ICON Park
