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Teenager dies after falling from ride at Orlando's ICON Park
A teenager fell to his death while riding an Orlando-area drop tower attraction, according to officials with the Orange County Sheriff's Office.
ORLANDO, Fla. - A 14-year-old boy tragically fell to his death from a ride at Orlando's ICON Park on Thursday night. Witnesses shared video exclusively with FOX 35 of the moments right before he fell. The video has been edited due to its graphic nature.
Witnesses on the scene told deputies that the boy fell from the Orlando Free Fall ride, which stands at 430 feet. It is the world’s tallest freestanding drop tower.
The Orange County Sheriff's Office later confirmed that a 14-year-old boy was transported to the hospital, where he died from his injuries. It's not known how the boy fell from the ride. The boy has been identified as Tyre Sampson who was visiting from Missouri.
RELATED: Teen dies after fall from drop tower ride at Orlando's ICON PARK, authorities say
Montrey Williams told FOX 35 News that they saw something fall and at first, thought it was a piece of the ride.
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"A terrible tragedy": Sheriff discusses boy who fell to his death on Orlando ride
The Orange County Sheriff gave an update on Friday on the 14-year-old boy who fell from an Orlando ride at ICON Park and died.
Authorities said a 14-year-old boy fell off the Orlando Free Fall ride at ICON Park. He later died from his injuries, March 24, 2022.
"We got a little closer and it was a person laying on the ground," said Williams. "Everyone was just panicking and screaming."
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Witnesses say the boys parents were panicking as they watched. Tyre Sampson was an 8th grader who had dreams of becoming a football star. He was in Orlando visiting from Missouri for his Spring Break.
Tyre’s cousin has started a petition to have the ride taken down for good.
RELATED: ICON Park Free Fall death: Did Orlando ride show signs of mechanical issues before?
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Should Tyre Sampson have been allowed on Orlando ride?
A 14-year-old boy who was thrown from a ride at Orlando's ICON Park is being remembered as a gentle giant who loved football. Tyre Sampson's father is questioning whether his son should have been allowed on the ride because of his size.
"My cousin lost his life over this ride. I don’t feel like it was safe. I feel like it needs to be shut down before someone else’s family has to go through what we are going through."
The petition got pages of signatures Sunday from those visiting the memorial. There will be a community balloon release for Tyre Monday night in front of the ride at 6 p.m.
RELATED: Family of teen who fell from ride at Orlando's ICON Park want it closed for good
The ride will remain closed during the investigation.
The Orlando Free Fall sits adjacent to the Orlando Slingshot. Both attractions, which opened in December, are owned and operated by the Slingshot Group of Companies, according to the ICON Park website.
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