December 6th 2024.
The tragic story of a 14-year-old boy from Missouri has come to a close as his parents have been awarded a staggering US$310 million verdict against the Austrian builder of the Orlando amusement park ride that claimed their son's life in 2022. After a long and emotional trial, the Orange County jury ordered Funtime, the manufacturer of the ride, to pay US$155 million each to the grieving parents, Nekia Dodd and Yarnell Sampson. The young boy, Tyre Sampson, tragically passed away on March 24, 2022, when he fell 21 meters from the Orlando Free Fall ride at Icon Park.
The trial lasted only a day, as Funtime never appeared in court to defend itself. The park where the incident occurred, Icon Park, had already settled with the Sampson family for an undisclosed amount. The family's lawyers, Ben Crump and Natalie Jackson, released a statement expressing their satisfaction with the jury's decision. They stated, "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." They continued, "The ride's manufacturers neglected their duty to protect passengers, and this outcome ensures they face the consequences."
However, the family's battle for justice is not yet over. They will now have to seek an order from an Austrian court to collect the damages awarded to them. Funtime, the company responsible for manufacturing thrill rides that throw, drop, and spin passengers at high speeds and from tall elevations, did not respond to an email seeking comment. Their website boasts attractions with names such as Vomatron, Sling Shot, and Chaos Pendle.
The details of Tyre Sampson's tragic death were revealed during the trial. The 1.9-meter-tall, 172kg football standout was visiting Orlando during his spring break when he went to the downtown amusement park with his friends. They decided to ride the Orlando Free Fall, a ride that placed 30 riders in seats attached to a tower, secured them with a shoulder harness, and then dropped them 131 meters. However, the ride did not have seat belts, which are considered an additional safety measure on most drop rides.
Due to Sampson's size, the harness did not properly lock, and he was ejected from his seat when the ride braked at 21 meters from the ground. His parents argued that both Orlando Slingshot, the owner and operator of the ride, and Funtime should have warned their son about the risks of someone his size riding the attraction and provided a more appropriate restraint system. They also emphasized that adding seat belts would have only cost US$660.
As a result of this tragic incident, the state ordered the ride to be closed permanently, and it is currently being demolished. It serves as a reminder of the importance of prioritizing safety over profits, and the devastating consequences that can occur when this is not done. The Sampson family's pursuit of justice will continue as they seek to hold all parties involved accountable for their son's untimely death.
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