Florida ‘FreeFall’ ride to be torn down following teen’s death

ORLANDO, Fla. — The Orlando FreeFall ride at ICON Park will be taken down following Tyre Sampson’s death in March.

Sampson died of blunt force trauma after slipping out of his seat in March on the 430-foot ride.

The SlingShot Group, which owned and operated the ride, announced the decision on Thursday according to WFTV.

“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,” said Orlando SlingShot Group CEO Ritchie Armstrong in a statement.

Armstrong said the timeline for taking the ride down had not been determined.

ICON Park officials told WFTV they support the decision to take the ride down.

“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,” said ICON Park.

Armstrong also said in the announcement that the company would create a scholarship in Tyre’s name.

In April, a wrongful death suit was filed, claiming that Icon Park should have known the ride was unsafe.

According to a report obtained by The Associated Press, outside engineers hired by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services said in June that sensors on the ride had been adjusted manually to double the opening size for restraints on two seats, resulting in Sampson not being adequately secured.

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