The Office of the Medical Examiner in Orange County has released the autopsy report for Tyre Sampson, the 14-year-old boy who fell to his death from the Free Fall ride at Florida’s ICON Park in March.The report released Monday explains that Sampson died of blunt force trauma after a fall from more than 70 feet. Sampson’s death was ruled an accident by the medical examiner.Related video above: Parents of teen killed in fall from ICON Park ride suing ride owner, manufacturer, othersHe suffered extensive injuries, including a fractured jaw, a broken arm, a broken leg and fractures of a number of ribs. A routine drug screen was done and it was negative for the presence of drugs.It was just after 11 p.m. on March 24 when Sampson and friends, who were visiting from St. Louis, boarded the 430-foot tall Free Fall ride. When it descended, Sampson fell from his seat and died.The autopsy report confirmed the teen weighed 383 pounds and was more than 6 feet tall.WESH 2 Investigates previously reported that the manufacturer recommended maximum rider weight of 287 pounds.On April 18, an investigative report completed by a private engineering firm hired by the state indicated Sampson slipped through a seven-inch gap between the seat and safety harness. The field investigation confirmed the ride operator made manual adjustments to the riding harness that resulted in it being unsafe. The Sampson family filed a wrongful death lawsuit on April 25.”This is just another painful, powerful confirmation of the unnecessary and tragic death that Tyre suffered,” said Kim Wald, an attorney for the Sampson family. “So this medical examiner’s report confirms that Tyre was 97 pounds over the maximum requirement and he never, never should have been able to be on that ride in the first place.”The Free Fall and its companion ride The SlingShot at ICON Park remain closed while the state continues its investigation.
The Office of the Medical Examiner in Orange County has released the autopsy report for Tyre Sampson, the 14-year-old boy who fell to his death from the Free Fall ride at Florida’s ICON Park in March.
The report released Monday explains that Sampson died of blunt force trauma after a fall from more than 70 feet.
Sampson’s death was ruled an accident by the medical examiner.
Related video above: Parents of teen killed in fall from ICON Park ride suing ride owner, manufacturer, others
He suffered extensive injuries, including a fractured jaw, a broken arm, a broken leg and fractures of a number of ribs.
A routine drug screen was done and it was negative for the presence of drugs.
It was just after 11 p.m. on March 24 when Sampson and friends, who were visiting from St. Louis, boarded the 430-foot tall Free Fall ride.
When it descended, Sampson fell from his seat and died.
The autopsy report confirmed the teen weighed 383 pounds and was more than 6 feet tall.
WESH 2 Investigates previously reported that the manufacturer recommended maximum rider weight of 287 pounds.
On April 18, an investigative report completed by a private engineering firm hired by the state indicated Sampson slipped through a seven-inch gap between the seat and safety harness.
The field investigation confirmed the ride operator made manual adjustments to the riding harness that resulted in it being unsafe.
The Sampson family filed a wrongful death lawsuit on April 25.
“This is just another painful, powerful confirmation of the unnecessary and tragic death that Tyre suffered,” said Kim Wald, an attorney for the Sampson family. “So this medical examiner’s report confirms that Tyre was 97 pounds over the maximum requirement and he never, never should have been able to be on that ride in the first place.”
The Free Fall and its companion ride The SlingShot at ICON Park remain closed while the state continues its investigation.
