Family Of Teen Who Died After Falling From Theme Park Ride Awarded $310 Million
The parents of Tyre Sampson, a 14-year-old boy who tragically died after falling from a theme park ride, were awarded $310 million (£243 million) by a jury.
Sampson fell approximately 100 feet (30 meters) from the Orlando Free Fall ride at ICON Park in Florida in March 2022.
Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing 27 stone (172 kg), Tyre’s size prevented the shoulder harness on the ride from locking properly.
Furthermore, the ride lacked seat belts, a standard safety feature on most drop rides.
Tyre, a promising young football player from St. Louis, Missouri, was visiting Florida during spring break when the incident occurred.
He exceeded the ride’s weight limit by around seven stone.
Despite these safety concerns, the ride operators did not adequately warn riders or enforce the weight restrictions.
Tragically, when the ride braked during its descent, Tyre was ejected from his seat.
The ride, which seated 30 people and dropped them from a height of 430 feet (131 meters), secured riders with only a shoulder harness.
Tyre’s parents, Nekia Dodd, and Yarnell Sampson, filed a lawsuit against ICON Park, the ride’s operator, and Funtime, the Austrian company that manufactured the ride.
The lawsuit claimed both parties failed to provide proper safety measures or to warn Tyre of the risks associated with his size.
In a civil trial lasting just one day, the jury found Funtime guilty of negligence.
The company, which did not appear in court to defend itself, was ordered to pay $155 million (£121.5 million) to each of Tyre’s parents.
While ICON Park had previously settled with the family for an undisclosed amount, the jury’s decision underscored the severe safety oversights by Funtime.
According to the family’s lawyers, Ben Crump and Natalie Jackson, the verdict validated their argument that Tyre’s death was ‘the result of blatant negligence and a failure to prioritize safety over profits,’ Sky News reports.
The lawyers criticized Funtime for neglecting its duty to protect passengers and emphasized that the jury’s decision ensured accountability.
However, since Funtime is an Austrian company, the family must now seek enforcement of the judgment in an Austrian court.
The Orlando Free Fall ride was permanently closed following the accident and is currently being dismantled.
Tyre’s mother, Nekia Dodd, expressed her grief at losing her son, recalling their last hug before his trip to Florida – a bittersweet memory of her final moments with him.
This case highlights the devastating consequences of insufficient safety measures in theme park attractions and serves as a grim reminder of the importance of prioritizing passenger safety over commercial interests.
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