Operator error suspected in death of 14-year-old on Orlando amusement park ride

Operator error is believed as the primary cause in the death of a 14-year-old kid who slipped out of his seat on a drop-tower ride at a Florida amusement park and plunged to the pavement, officials said Monday.Nicole “Nikki Fried, the Florida commissioner of farming and consumer services, revealed the findings of a forensic engineers field examination report on the March 24 occurrence that killed Tyre Sampson of St. Louis, Missouri, at Orlandos ICON Park.Fried stated the report revealed the operator of the parks FreeFall flight, the worlds highest free-standing drop tower at a height of 430 feet, “made manual modifications to the trip resulting in it being risky.”During slowing of the flight, Tyre Sampson slipped through the gap between the seat and harness” and fell to his death, according to the report.The forensic engineer who wrote the report stated his conclusions were partially based an assessment of the ride, video of the occurrence and a reenactment using two individuals, one 6-foot-3, the other 6-foot-5, and both weighing in between 200 and 300 pounds.The Orlando Free Fall off of International Drive, hours after a 14-year-old kid fell to his death from the trip, March 25, 2022, in Orlando, Fla.”During our investigation, 2 individuals were placed in a seat with an opening ranging from 6 to 10 inches.”The report also found there “are lots of other possible contributions to the cause of the mishap,” however did not elaborate.Fried did not take questions from reporters and stated she is declining further comment till the examination is completed.She said the FreeFall trip will stay closed indefinitely.Fried stated she spoke to Sampsons parents prior to the news conference to inform them of the forensic engineers report.State Rep. Geraldine Thompson, D-Orlando, stated at the news conference that the producers guidelines for the FreeFall specifically state the maximum weight of the rider is 250 pounds.”SlingShot Group, the rides operator, did not right away react to ABC News request for comment on Monday.The business said in a declaration following Sampsons death that it was “sad” about the occurrence and was complying with authorities and ride authorities in the investigation.ABC News Victoria Arancio contributed to this report.

Operator error is suspected as the main cause in the death of a 14-year-old kid who slipped out of his seat on a drop-tower flight at a Florida theme park and plunged to the pavement, officials said Monday.Nicole “Nikki Fried, the Florida commissioner of agriculture and consumer services, announced the findings of a forensic engineers field examination report on the March 24 event that eliminated Tyre Sampson of St. Louis, Missouri, at Orlandos ICON Park.Fried said the report showed the operator of the parks FreeFall ride, the worlds highest free-standing drop tower at a height of 430 feet, “made manual changes to the ride leading to it being hazardous.”Family members and friends of Tyre Sampson leave flowers and other items at a vigil in front of the Orlando Free Fall drop tower in ICON Park in Orlando, Fla., March 28, 2022. Sampson, 14, was eliminated when he fell from the flight last week.The report by Quest Engineering & & Failure Analysis, Inc., said manual controls were made to the seat Sampson was being in to enable the harness restraint opening to be loosened up, apparently to accommodate the more than 300-pound teenager. Fried said the harness restraint opening was “almost double that of a typical restraint opening variety.”Fried stated the change by the specific operator, who was not identified in the report, made it possible for the FreeFalls sensor lights to brighten, “poorly pleasing” the rides electronic security mechanisms and allowing the ride to operate “despite the fact that Mr. Sampson was not appropriately protected in his seat.””This report answers the concern of what mechanically occurred as our examination now enters into the next phase of how and why it occurred as we look toward prospective penalties along with any modifications of regulations and rules required to assist prevent future catastrophes,” Fried stated at a news conference.The report revealed the average restraint opening for other seats on the trip was 3.33 inches, which is considered “typical.” Sampsons seat was changed before the ride began to an opening of 7.19 inches, the report discovered.”During slowing of the ride, Tyre Sampson slipped through the gap in between the seat and harness” and fell to his death, according to the report.The forensic engineer who wrote the report said his conclusions were partly based an examination of the ride, video of the event and a reenactment utilizing 2 individuals, one 6-foot-3, the other 6-foot-5, and both weighing between 200 and 300 pounds.The Orlando Free Fall off of International Drive, hours after a 14-year-old kid fell to his death from the ride, March 25, 2022, in Orlando, Fla.”During our investigation, two individuals were positioned in a seat with an opening varying from 6 to 10 inches. Both individuals had the ability to slip through the restraint opening without help,” according to the report.The forensic engineers investigation concluded that the flight “did not experience an electrical or mechanical failure.”The report also found there “are numerous other possible contributions to the cause of the mishap,” however did not elaborate.Fried did not take concerns from press reporters and said she is decreasing additional comment up until the examination is completed.She said the FreeFall trip will remain closed indefinitely.Fried said she talked to Sampsons moms and dads prior to the news conference to notify them of the forensic engineers report.State Rep. Geraldine Thompson, D-Orlando, stated at the news conference that the makers guidelines for the FreeFall particularly state the maximum weight of the rider is 250 pounds.”Tyre Sampson weighed in excess of 300 pounds. Yes this is outside of the producers guidelines,” Thompson said.Thompson said she was “very disrupted” by the report. She stated she has actually touched with the Sampson familys attorney, Ben Crump.”As you might think of, the household remains in shock,” Thompson said. “You send your 14-year-old kid away for spring break and he does not return alive. So, theyre in shock.”ICON Park stated in a statement to ABC News on Monday that it was “deeply distressed” by the findings of the report.”We are deeply bothered that the initial findings of the States examination suggest a sensor on the Orlando FreeFall tourist attraction, which is owned and run by the SlingShot Group, had been mis-adjusted after the sensing unit was originally secured in place,” the statement stated. “ICON Park is devoted to providing a safe, enjoyable experience for families. We will continue to support the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services with their ongoing examination.”SlingShot Group, the flights operator, did not immediately respond to ABC News ask for talk about Monday.The business stated in a declaration following Sampsons death that it was “sad” about the occurrence and was cooperating with authorities and trip officials in the investigation.ABC News Victoria Arancio added to this report.