PREVENTABLE?

Florida Teen Tyre Sampson’s Seat Was Locked After He Fell From Orlando Ride, Report Says

The father of Tyre Sampson, who died when he fell from a drop ride at ICON park in Orlando, has suggested he may have been too large to ride safely on it.

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect that Tyre Sampson’s family now says a woman who claimed to be the teen’s cousin is not a relative.

The seat carrying a 14-year-old boy who fatally fell from the Orlando FreeFall drop tower last week was locked after the horrific incident, according to a report released by state authorities. According to his father, Tyre Sampson—who was 6 foot 5 inches and weighed 340 pounds and fell to his death last Thursday—had previously told people sitting beside him he did not feel safe. The report, citing three employees, indicated that the harness on the seat in question was engaged when the ride stopped, after the fall. The ride remains closed as authorities investigate the tragedy.