Thursday, March 28

LIVE UPDATES: Boy who died after falling from ride was visiting Orlando for spring break


ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — A 14-year-old boy died Thursday night after falling from the “Free Fall” amusement ride at ICON Park in Orlando, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office said.

Read live updates on the investigation below:

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5:30 p.m. update

Witnesses told Channel 9 that Tyre Sampson slipped beneath a safety harness when the ride came to a halt.

Read: Boy, 14, dies after falling from FreeFall ride at ICON Park in Orlando

They said he hit a safety fence before landing on the ground.

Photos: Investigation underway at ICON Park after boy dies following fall from Orlando FreeFall

Emergency dispatchers asked bystanders to provide the boy CPR, but witnesses said it was already too late.

Click here to download the free WFTV news app, and watch Channel 9 Eyewitness News for live updates.

4 p.m. update

People who knew Tyre Sampson said he was visiting Orlando for spring break when he fell from the ride at about 11 p.m. Thursday.

Investigators were seen Friday afternoon taking measurement of the chair in which Tyre was seated.

The ride, which opened in December, is 430 feet tall and reaches a maximum speed of 75 mph. Its website said it is the world’s largest free-standing drop tower.

It is unknown for how long the ride will be closed. Similar rides in the area remained open Friday.

2 p.m. update

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings provided Channel 9 with the following statement Friday afternoon:

“I offer my deepest condolences for the family of the 14-year-old boy who died following the tragic incident at ICON Park. I look to receive more information about what happened in the incident and what will be done to prevent it from ever happening again. The Florida Department of Agriculture and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office investigations will bring clarity to the circumstances and next steps.”

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State officials are currently inspecting the ride. Click here to stream live video.

1 p.m. update

The death of a 14-year-old boy who fell from the FreeFall ride at Orlando’s ICON Park “appears to be just a terrible tragedy,” Orange County Sheriff John Mina said during a news conference Friday afternoon.

The boy, Tyre Sampson, was visiting from Missouri with another family, Mina said.

“We cant imagine the pain and anguish that his family is going through,” he said. “Our prayers and our thought are with the family.”

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office has made grief counselors available to Tyree’s family.

Mina said detectives have spoken with all witnesses and employees who were there when the boy fell from the ride. He said the investigation remains open.

Mina said the ride has a large locking device placed over each rider, but he is not aware of a seat belt.

There were no reports of any issues with the ride, he said.

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is also investigating the death.

11:50 a.m. update

The Orange County sheriff is set to discuss the investigation into the death of a 14-year-old boy who died after falling from an amusement ride at ICON Park in Orlando.

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Sheriff John Mina is scheduled to give a news conference at 12:30 p.m. on Friday.

Deputies responded to ICON Park along the 8400 block of International Drive shortly after 11 p.m., after receiving a 911 emergency call reporting that someone had fallen from the park’s FreeFall ride.

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READ: Deputies: Boy, 14, dies after falling from FreeFall ride at ICON Park

Deputies said a 14-year-old boy was transported to the hospital, where he died from his injuries.

“OCSO extends its deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the young man who died after a fall from the Orlando FreeFall attraction,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement.

Photos: Investigation underway at ICON Park after boy dies following fall from Orlando FreeFall

Investigators said the death investigation remains in its early stages.

Channel 9 reporter Shannon Butler is gathering details at the news conference. Stream the update live here when it happens.

Stay tuned to Channel 9 Eyewitness News for live updates.

Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.



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