An Orange County jury has awarded $310 million to the parents of Tyre Sampson, a 14-year-old boy who tragically fell to his death from the Orlando Free Fall ride at Icon Park in March 2022. The verdict, delivered late Thursday, holds Funtime, the Austrian manufacturer of the ride, accountable for the fatal incident.
The jury ordered Funtime to pay $155 million each to Tyre’s parents, Nekia Dodd and Yarnell Sampson. The case moved swiftly through the court, lasting just one day, as Funtime failed to appear or mount a defense. Icon Park had previously reached a confidential settlement with the family.
Following the verdict, the family’s attorneys, Ben Crump and Natalie Jackson, issued a statement calling the decision a confirmation of Funtime’s negligence.
“The jury’s decision confirms what we have long argued: Tyre’s death was the result of blatant negligence and a failure to prioritize safety over profits. The ride’s manufacturers neglected their duty to protect passengers, and [Thursday’s] outcome ensures they face the consequences,” the attorneys said.
However, the battle isn’t over. To collect the damages, the family must seek enforcement of the judgment in an Austrian court, where Funtime is headquartered. The company has not issued a statement, and attempts to contact them for comment were unsuccessful.
Also, read; Rwanda Officially Bids to Host Formula One Grand Prix
Tyre Sampson, a 6-foot-2, 380-pound football player from Missouri, was visiting Orlando on spring break when he rode the Orlando Free Fall with friends. The ride, which stood at 430 feet, seated passengers in harness-secured chairs and dropped them from the tower at high speeds. Unlike most drop rides, it did not have seat belts as an added safety measure.
Due to Tyre’s size, his harness failed to lock properly, and he was thrown from his seat as the ride braked 70 feet above the ground. Investigations revealed that adding seat belts to the ride would have cost just $660.
The family argued that Funtime and Icon Park failed to adequately warn riders of the risks associated with larger passengers and did not implement proper safety restraints. Following the tragedy, Florida authorities ordered the closure of the Orlando Free Fall, and the ride was subsequently demolished.
Funtime, known for manufacturing extreme thrill rides such as the Vomatron and Sling Shot, now faces significant scrutiny over its safety standards.
The verdict serves as a landmark decision in holding amusement ride manufacturers accountable for passenger safety. It also highlights the devastating consequences of cost-cutting measures in an industry that should prioritize lives over profits.
As Nekia Dodd and Yarnell Sampson continue their fight to enforce the judgment, the case stands as a sobering reminder of the importance of stringent safety measures in the amusement park industry. For Tyre Sampson’s family, this ruling is a step toward justice, but the loss of their son remains immeasurable.
