ORLANDO — Operator error is suspected as the primary cause in the death of a 14-year-old boy who slipped out of his seat on a drop-tower ride at a Florida amusement park and plunged to the pavement, officials said Monday.
Nicole"Nikki' Fried, the Florida commissioner of agriculture and consumer services, announced the findings of a forensic engineer's field investigation report on the March 24 incident that killed Tyre Sampson of St. Louis, Missouri, at Orlando's ICON Park.
Fried said the adjustment by the individual operator, who was not identified in the report, enabled the FreeFall's sensor lights to illuminate,"improperly satisfying" the ride's electronic safety mechanisms and enabling the ride to operate"even though Mr. Sampson was not properly secured in his seat."
"During slowing of the ride, Tyre Sampson slipped through the gap between the seat and harness" and fell to his death, according to the report. The forensic engineer's investigation concluded that the ride"did not experience a mechanical or electrical failure." State Rep. Geraldine Thompson, D-Orlando, said at the news conference that the manufacturer's guidelines for the FreeFall specifically say the maximum weight of the rider is 250 pounds.
"As you might imagine, the family is in shock," Thompson said."You send your 14-year-old son away for spring break and he does not return alive. So, they're in shock."
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