Orlando FreeFall to be torn down

Ride operators have announced the Orlando FreeFall at ICON Park will be torn down.

The 430-foot tall drop tower attraction on International Drive has been closed since March, after 14-year-old Tyre Sampson died falling from the ride about halfway down the ride’s drop.

Owner of the attraction, Orlando Slingshot, released a statement on Thursday, Oct. 6, saying the decision to take the ride down came after multiple calls from the public.

“We are devastated by Tyre’s death,” Slingshot CEO Ritchie Armstrong said in the statement. “We have listened to the wishes of Tyre’s family and the community, and have made the decision to take down the FreeFall.”

ICON Park, which leases the land to Slingshot for the attraction, also issued a statement, announcing its support of the removal of the FreeFall.

“Tyre’s death is a tragedy that we will never forget,” the company said. “As the landlord, ICON Park welcomes and appreciates Orlando Slingshot’s decision to take down the ride.”

However, Slingshot did not provide a timeline for when the attraction would be taken down.

The removal would depend on "approvals from all parties involved as well as regulatory entities," the organization said in the statement.

Armstrong also announced the company will create a scholarship in Sampson's name.

“Details of the scholarship are being developed and further information will be shared in the future after consultation with the family of Tyre,” the company said in the statement.

BACKGROUND

Sampson was on spring break when he slipped from his seat and fell to the ground below on March 24.

In April, investigators then found that safety sensors on the teenager's seat had been modified to open wider than the other seats. The investigation into who is responsible is ongoing.

Sampson's parents, Nekia Dodd and Yarnell Sampson, also filed a wrongful death lawsuit against multiple businesses in April.

The lawsuit claims the businesses failed to safely operate the ride, failed to warn Sampson of the proper height and weight safety restrictions, and failed to properly train employees. The suit also claims the businesses failed to provide appropriate restraint systems and negligently allowed Sampson to board the ride despite being over the weight limit.

The weight limit for the ride was 287 pounds. The autopsy showed that Sampson weighed 383 pounds when he died.

This is a developing story. Please check back for more updates.