In March 2022, a deadly incident occurred at ICON Park in Orlando, Florida. A 14-year-old boy named Tyre Sampson slipped out of the FreeFall drop tower ride and fell to his death.
Over three years later, there was an update on the case. On December 5th, a jury in Orange County ruled that the company behind the FreeFall drop tower ride, Funtime Handels, is responsible for millions in damages to the family of Tyre Sampson.
According to Orlando’s NBC affiliate WESH 2 News, the teen, Tyre Sampson, was in Orlando for spring break when he decided to ride the FreeFall drop tower ride in ICON Park. The attraction is known for its 400+ feet drop. During the ride, Sampson slipped out of his harness and fell to the ground, which caused his death.
WESH 2 News reported that two seats on the ride were “adjusted to handle the teen’s large size, allowing him to slip out of his seat.” In that same report, WESH 2 News stated the teen was about 100 pounds over the recommended weight for the FreeFall drop tower ride, “though that information was not posted anywhere.” After the incident, the owner was issued a fine, and the ride was removed.
Now, the jury in Orange County ruled that Funtime Handels should pay $310 million in damages to Sampson’s family.
WESH 2 reported that the Sampson family sued ICON Park and the FreeFall’s owner, and both parties settled the lawsuits.
Stay tuned for more Orlando news.
If both parties settled the lawsuit then how was there a jury decision?