Accident Report says star football player killed in Florida Theme Park’s seat was locked and he weighed more than the expected weight
Tyre Sampson was just 14-years-old when he fell to his death last week. The kid had a bright future, he was an upcoming star in St. Louis and was visiting family in Orlando, when he went to the FreeFall drop tower that is the largest free fall ride in the world. It drops riders from 430 feet in the air at rates of 75 miles per hour.
Well, according to the accident report, Sampson reportedly came out of the seat when the magnets engaged to slow the ride during the descent, according to testimonies of employees.
“Harness was still in a down and locked position when the ride stopped,” said the report from the Fair Rides division of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
The report also says the young man was too big for the ride according to the Operations Manual.
Sampson’s father, Yarnell Sampson, raised that question Friday, telling CNN: “My son was 6’5″, 340. So, he’s a big guy.”
The Operations Manual indicates the maximum passenger weight is 130 kilograms (approximately 287 pounds).
“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,” the manual states.
An investigation is on going, but this is so sad. Icon Park and the Slingshot Group have suspended it’s rides until further notice.
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