A Florida jury has awarded $310 million to the family of Tyre Sampson, a 14-year-old boy who tragically fell to his death from an amusement park ride in Orlando in 2022. Tyre was visiting ICON Park with his football team during spring break when the incident occurred.
The ride, which had no seat belts, had a weight limit of 129kg (284lbs). Tyre, who weighed 172kg (378lbs), fell 30 meters (98 feet) from the ride. His family’s lawyers argued that the manufacturer, Funtime Handels GMBH, and the operators of the ride failed to prioritize safety, leading to his preventable death.
Negligence and Accountability
The Austrian manufacturer, Funtime Handels GMBH, did not have a representative in court nor a listed lawyer in the case. The jury concluded that the boy’s death resulted from “blatant negligence” and awarded the payout to Tyre’s parents for their pain and suffering.
In 2022, the family reached an undisclosed settlement with ICON Park and Eagle Drop Slingshot, the ride’s owner.
A Tragedy That Sparked Change
Tyre’s death has prompted significant changes in amusement park safety regulations in Florida. In May 2023, Governor Ron DeSantis signed the Tyre Sampson Act, mandating stricter safety measures for rides taller than 30 meters (100 feet), including the use of seat belts and harnesses.
Tyre’s uncle, Carl Sampson, described him as a “really good kid” and “very intelligent.” The family’s lawyer, Ben Crump, called the verdict “a step forward in holding corporations accountable for the safety of their products.”
A Painful Reminder
Tyre’s tragic death serves as a reminder of the critical importance of prioritizing safety in amusement park attractions. This landmark verdict reinforces the need for accountability and stricter safety measures to prevent future tragedies.
