Family of Tyre Sampson Awarded $310 Million Following Tragic Drop Tower Incident

The family of 14-year-old Tyre Sampson, who died on March 24, 2022, after falling from the FreeFall drop tower ride at ICON Park in Orlando, has received $310 million from a Florida jury. Following a civil lawsuit against Funtime Handels, the Austrian ride manufacturer, which did not show up in court, his parents will split the award equally.

According to People Once billed as the tallest freestanding drop tower in the world, Tyre chose to ride the FreeFall while on spring break in Florida with friends.

He lost his harness during the ride and fell about 400 feet, where he was fatally injured 137. He weighed 383 pounds, which was almost 100 pounds more than the ride’s weight limit of 287 pounds, according to an investigation. Additionally, it was observed that the attraction lacked scales or posted weight limits.

After roughly an hour of deliberation, the jury returned a verdict that is regarded as a major step in holding amusement park companies responsible for safety standards. According to family lawyer Ben Crump, this decision confirms their conviction that Tyre’s death was caused by egregious negligence and a disregard for safety over profit368. There were no seat belts on the ride, and Tyre’s harness was said to have been incorrectly adjusted, leaving a hazardous gap.