According to an autopsy revealed Monday, a Missouri boy died of blunt force trauma after falling from a 430-foot Florida drop-tower amusement park attraction.
14-year-old Tyre Sampson suffered internal injuries as well as trauma to his head, neck, and chest after falling from the FreeFall ride at ICON Park in March, according to the report.
Sampson, who played football in the St. Louis area, weighed 383 pounds (173 kilograms) when he died, exceeds the ride’s weight limit of 287 pounds.
Sampson was on vacation in Orlando with a friend’s family, and his stature has been investigated as a possible reason.
An initial report by outside engineers hired by the Florida Department of Agriculture said sensors on the ride had been adjusted manually to double the size of the opening for restraints on two seats, resulting in Sampson not being properly secured.
Here’s what the manual for the attraction states:
“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.”
Sampson allegedly slipped out of a safety harness before crashing to the concrete in front of stunned witnesses, the officials said.
His death was caught on video and quickly went viral.
Authorities believe that before the Orlando Slingshot ride began, someone altered Sampson’s harness to allow him to fit into the seat.
Sampson’s family is suing many parties involved in the tragedy, claiming that his death could have been avoided.
His pals informed police that he had been turned down for prior rides due to his size on the day of his death. Orlando Slingshot’s death was described as a “tragic accident” by his lawyers in a statement released Tuesday.
Watch the video report here: Fox35/Youtube
Sources: Dailywire, CNN, Independent
