ICON Park has sent a formal request to the SlingShot Group, which owns the ride from which a 14-year-old boy fell to his death late Thursday, demanding the company immediately stop operating its rides at the entertainment complex.
Though the Orlando Free Fall drop tower closed indefinitely following the accident that killed Tyre Sampson, the SlingShot Group operates another ride at ICON Park, the Orlando SlingShot. The group also runs the Orlando StarFlyer, which is adjacent to the complex but not located on its property.
According to a release from the complex, ICON Park is demanding the attractions cease operation and stay closed until they are “proven to be safe by authorities.”
Representatives for the Slingshot Group did not immediately respond to requests for comment Monday afternoon. John Stine, sales director with the SlingShot Group, previously said the Orlando Free Fall would remain closed until the investigations were completed.
“As the landlord of the 20-acre entertainment destination in the center of the Orlando Entertainment District, ICON Park’s mission is to provide safe, family entertainment,” ICON Park’s statement read. “We rely on our tenants to be experts at what they do.
“In the interests of public safety, ICON Park demands that the SlingShot Group suspend not only the operation of Orlando FreeFall but also the operation of Orlando SlingShot, effective immediately, continuing until such time as a thorough investigation by the appropriate authorities has been completed and all parties are satisfied that the rides are safe for the public.”
The statement said ICON Park was cooperating with the continuing investigations into the death, calling it “the saddest day in the [complex’s] history.”
A preliminary report from the ride’s operator, released by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Monday, showed the accident occurred as the ride’s magnets engaged, causing Tyre to come out of his seat. His harness was still down and “in a locked position” when the ride stopped, the report said.
The agency’s investigation into the Orlando Free Fall attraction is ongoing. Officials were at ICON Park inspecting the ride Friday.
“We hope the subsequent findings will be able to inform us all as to how this tragedy occurred and will precipitate any changes necessary to better protect patrons of amusement rides in Florida,” Commissioner Nikki Fried said in a statement.
Additional records released by the department show the employee and ride operator were most recently trained in safety and emergency procedures and ride operation on Feb. 15 and Feb. 21, respectively.
The ride’s handbook shows the maximum rider weight as 130 kg, or about 286 pounds. According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Tyre weighed 330 pounds.
The Orlando Free Fall and the Orlando SlingShot opened at ICON Park Dec. 28. State records show both rides passed inspections on Dec. 15 and Dec. 20 with no issues found. Their next routine inspections would have been scheduled around six months later, in accordance with state law.
The SlingShot Group operates rides elsewhere in Florida, including the Sunset Walk SlingShot in Kissimmee. It was not immediately clear if that attraction was still running Monday.
Tyre was visiting ICON Park with a friend’s family while vacationing on spring break from Missouri. Video of the tragedy shows him appearing to slip out of his seat on the Orlando Free Fall as the ride braked.
His family has hired civil rights lawyer Ben Crump and personal injury attorney Bob Hilliard to represent them.
A makeshift memorial featuring pictures of Tyre surrounded by flowers and football memorabilia started outside the attraction over the weekend and has grown as people visit to pay their respects.
A statement posted to ICON Park’s Twitter account late Thursday said the company and its affiliated businesses were grieving Sampson’s tragic death and sending their condolences to his loved ones.
“ICON Park is committed to being a place where families can spend quality time together in a safe and fun space,” it read. “We are in close coordination and will continue to operate with law enforcement and regulators regarding our tenant, the SlingShot Group.”
About 75 people gathered Monday evening at a memorial site near FreeFall for a prayer vigil. They released red and black balloons near the ride as the sun set.
Photos of Tyre were surrounded by several teddy bears and footballs. The teenager’s family gathered signatures at the vigil for a petition to get the ride torn down and replaced with a permanent memorial to Tyre.
Correction: An earlier version of this story misidentified a woman as a family member of Tyre Sampson. According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, Tyre’s mother has told detectives she does not know Shay Johnson, who identified herself as Tyre’s cousin in interviews and demonstrations.
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