![]() ![]() “We’re supposed to take them to the edge and bring them back safely,” Martin said. “That’s not life. He also said the incident underscores the importance of ride operators properly checking restraints. Martin said he had reviewed video from the incident and that the added safety belt could have been life-saving. ![]() In a clip published by WESH 2 News, a person riding the drop tower can be heard questioning its restraints before it took off. Videos and photos of the ride show no secondary safety belt that would secure the over-the-shoulder harness. Martin told USA TODAY that such a belt is a generally a standard part of ride safety in similar attractions. The ride tilting forward increases the importance of a properly functioning harness due to the G-forces riders experience at the bottom, said Ken Martin, a Virginia-based amusement park safety analyst who works with parks, fairs, government entities, insurance companies and attorneys. Thirty riders at the time can rise to the top, tilt forward and then free fall nearly 400 feet at speeds reaching over 75 mph. The ride opened in ICON Park in center of Orlando's Entertainment District late last year, according to a January release from the park. "As a father with boys who go on rides and who frequent amusement parks a lot, you know, it's just a tragic situation." Safety expert expresses concern over seatbelt "We can't imagine what they're going through," Mina said. Sampson was visiting a friend's family in Florida from his home in Missouri, Mina said at a press conference Friday. ![]() In 2021, a maintenance technician who was not properly hooked up to a safety device plunged 225 feet to his death at a neighboring ride at the park, the 450-foot-tall StarFlyer swing ride. ICON park is an entertainment complex in Orlando that includes amusement park rides as well shopping, dining, an aquarium, a Madame Tussauds wax museum and other attractions. "Our hearts go out this young man's family, and we are cooperating with the Orange County Sheriff's Department and other local agency's ongoing investigations which I cannot comment on any further at this time." "Needless to say we are devastated," Stine said. WATCH: LA police seek Tesla driver in street stunt crash PHOTOS: China Eastern Airlines plane carrying 132 people crashes, no survivors Stine said there have been no other safety issues with the ride since it opened. The ride will be closed indefinitely, said John Stine, spokesperson for the Slingshot Group of Companies, which owns and operates the ride. Video suggests that he was propelled from his seat at high speeds as the ride slowed from its descent. Tyre seemed to slip out of his seat when the ride braked as it approached the bottom of its descent, according to a witness account to a 911 dispatcher. The investigation into the death is ongoing, Orange County Sheriff John Mina said. But preliminary information indicates "it appears to be a terrible tragedy." He said the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs is investigating the safety of the ride. Make sure you have the real story with the Checking the Facts newsletter. Another man told a 911 dispatcher that the teen had no pulse.įact? Checked. Several witnesses called 911 to report what they saw: A woman told a dispatcher that Sampson was face down, wasn’t responsive and appeared to have broken his arms and legs. Tyre was transported to a hospital where he died from his injuries. where witnesses said someone had fallen from the Free Fall ride, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement. Watch Video: Teen dies after falling from ride at ICON Park in Orlando, FloridaĪ 14-year-old boy who was riding " the world’s tallest free-standing drop tower" in Orlando, Florida, died in a shocking fall from the attraction as witnesses watched in horror on Thursday.įollowing the tragic incident, loved ones remembered the boy - Tyre Sampson - as an aspiring athlete, a good student and a caring son. Two lawyers, including nationally-recognized civil rights attorney Ben Crump, announced they would be representing the family.ĭeputies received a 911 call and responded to ICON Park shortly after 11 p.m. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |