Florida state Sen. Randolph Bracy calls for permanent closure of Free Fall ride at Orlando's ICON Park

Following the death of 14-year old Tyre Sampson at Orlando’s ICON Park, Florida state Sen. Randolph Bracy sent a letter to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services requesting immediate action to permanently shut down the Orlando Free Fall ride at ICON Park.

Bracy sent the letter, dated Tuesday, March 29, to Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Nicole “Nikki” Fried.

"It is with grave concern and disappointment that I write this letter in light of the Orlando Free Fall ride accident at ICON Park in Orlando, Florida," Bracy wrote. "The premature death of 14-year old Mr. Tyre Sampson is unconscionable and an avoidable tragedy witnessed by many here, and across the nation on March 24, 2022. 

"As Mr. Sampson’s family, friends, and all those who cared for him mourn, I am strongly urging the department to take swift action for the critical safety of others," he wrote. "I urge the department to: reexamine and implement minimum safety requirements for fixed amusement parks, implement secondary or additional safety restraints to quickly respond to mechanical and human errors, and require more robust peer training and safety protocols to increase accountability by amusement park operators. I urge that these measures be implemented immediately, and I also request that the department close the Orlando Free Fall ride permanently. No human being should experience the plight of tragedy that could have been avoided by ensuring our amusement parks are operating at the highest levels of safety and care."