ORLANDO, Fla. — A Florida jury has awarded $310 million to the parents of a 14-year-old Missouri boy who tragically died after falling from a ride at an Orlando amusement park in March 2022. The jury found the Austrian manufacturer of the ride, Funtime, responsible and ordered it to compensate Tyre Sampson’s parents, Nekia Dodd and Yarnell Sampson, with $155 million each.
Tyre, a prominent young football player from the St. Louis area, was visiting Orlando during his spring break when the incident occurred at Icon Park. He suffered a fatal 70-foot fall from the park’s Orlando Free Fall ride, which has since been closed permanently and is currently being dismantled.
During the brief one-day trial, representatives from Funtime were notably absent and did not defend their actions in court. The considerable verdict comes after Icon Park had previously reached a confidential settlement with the Sampson family.
The family’s legal representatives, Ben Crump and Natalie Jackson, stated that the jury’s decision underscores the severe negligence on part of the ride’s manufacturer which prioritized profits over safety. The attorneys pointed out that the tragedy stemmed from inadequate passenger protections on the ride.
Funtime, known for its high-speed and high-altitude thrill rides such as Vomatron, Sling Shot, and Chaos Pendle, has yet to respond to inquiries regarding the verdict. The company’s future steps are uncertain, as the Sampson family intends to seek enforcement of the judgment through the Austrian courts.
Tyre Sampson, who was 6-foot-2 and weighed 380 pounds, was not adequately secured by the ride’s safety harness system, which failed due to his physical stature. Tragically, he was ejected from his seat when the ride abruptly braked 70 feet above the ground. The ride, which could accommodate up to 30 riders and lifted them to a height of 430 feet, lacked seat belts – a common safety feature found on similar attractions.
The fatal incident spurred a statewide investigation leading to the ride’s closure. It was revealed that adding seat belts to the ride would have incurred a cost of merely $660, a fact that highlighted the overlooked safety measures.
This case has drawn significant attention to the importance of stringent safety standards and appropriate size accommodations in amusement park rides. It also raises critical questions about the responsibilities of ride manufacturers and park operators to ensure the safety of all guests, particularly when transporting minors.
The dismantling of the Orlando Free Fall attraction serves as a somber reminder of the need for rigorous adherence to safety regulations in the amusement park industry. This tragedy has undoubtedly echoed across communities, urging a reevaluation of safety protocols to prevent such incidents in the future.
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