ORLANDO, Fla. – On March 24, 2022, 14-year-old Tyre Sampson fell to his death from the Orlando FreeFall ride at ICON Park.
The ride, which had only been open for a few months, lifted guests over 400 feet into the air before dropping them at speeds of 70 mph. Tyre’s harness was improperly secured after operators manually adjusted seat sensors, making the ride unsafe.
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What happened
Tyre, a high-achieving student and football player from St. Louis, was visiting Florida for spring break. He fell as the ride descended, and investigations later showed that his seat’s restraint system had been modified to allow a much larger opening than recommended by the manufacturer. This adjustment allowed the ride to operate despite serious safety risks.
The tragedy led Tyre’s family to file a wrongful death lawsuit, alleging that the ride’s operators and manufacturers failed to ensure its safety. A settlement has been reached with Orlando Eagle Drop, the ride’s operator, but the lawsuit against the ride manufacturers continues. Attorney Ben Crump, representing the family, has called for accountability to prevent similar accidents.
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Legislative action: The Tyre Sampson Act
Tyre’s death also led to changes in Florida law. In May 2023, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the Tyre Sampson Act, which introduced stricter safety requirements for amusement rides:
- Rides over 100 feet must have both seat belts and harnesses.
- Rides must be inspected and certified by independent regulatory agencies.
- Operators must report accidents promptly, and the state can impound unsafe rides.
- Changes to rides, such as modifications to sensors or restraints, must be documented and justified.
The law was named for Tyre to honor his memory and prevent similar tragedies. It went into effect on July 1, 2023.
Continuing legal and safety efforts
While Tyre’s family has reached some settlements, their lawsuit against the ride manufacturers continues. Investigators found no mechanical or electrical failures in the ride itself but concluded that the manual adjustments to Tyre’s seat caused the accident.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) is responsible for enforcing the new safety rules. This includes unannounced inspections to ensure compliance and reviewing any accidents or modifications to rides.
We’ve asked FDACS how many unannounced inspections they have done since the law took effect. We will update this story when we hear back.
Impact and reflection
The Tyre Sampson Act represents a significant step in improving amusement ride safety in Florida. Tyre’s family has said they hope this law will prevent other families from experiencing similar losses. Tyre’s father, Yarnell Sampson, said his son didn’t deserve to die, and his mother, Nekia Dodd, thanked lawmakers for acting to protect children in Tyre’s memory.
Although no law can undo what happened, the changes aim to ensure that safety comes first in the amusement ride industry. Tyre’s story has become a catalyst for change, not just in Florida but potentially across the country.
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