Tyre Sampson: New Details In Teen's Fatal Fall From Tower Ride

ORLANDO, FL — A rising middle school football player from Missouri may have been too heavy for the Florida thrill ride that claimed his life, a 2021 manual from the manufacturer suggests.

"Be careful when seeing if large guests fit into the seats. Check that they fit within the contours of the seat and the bracket fits properly. If this is not so, do not let this person ride," page 57 of the manual reads.

Tyre Sampson, who weighed just over 300 pounds, was about 14 pounds over the ride's recommended limit.

Sampson was visiting ICON Park in Orlando on Thursday when he fell from the Orlando FreeFall. He was taken to a local hospital, where he died from his injuries, the Orange County Sheriff's Office said.

According to the ride's manual, the maximum passenger weight for the Orlando FreeFall, the tower ride that ultimately claimed Sampson's life, is about 286 pounds.

The Orange County Sheriff's Office and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services are continuing their investigation into Sampson's death.

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• Teen Dies In Fall From New Tower Ride At Orlando Amusement Park

During a recent news conference, Sheriff John Mina said a preliminary investigation appears to suggest that Sampson's death was accidental.

"We can't imagine the pain and anguish that his family must be going through," Mina said during the news conference. "It appears to be a terrible tragedy. Our investigation is still open."

According to an accident report, as the Orlando FreeFall came down the tower, the magnets engaged and Sampson came out of his seat. His harness, however, was still in a locked position when the ride stopped.

"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," FDACS Commissioner Nikki Fried said in a statement.

Sampson's cousin, Shay Johnson, told multiple news outlets, including the Orlando Sentinel, he was turned away from the StarFlyer and SlingShot rides because of his size.

It was the operators of the FreeFall, however, who gave him the green light — a decision Sampson's cousin wished hadn't happened.

“I hate it,” she told the newspaper. “I hate that they did not turn him down. ... I feel like they just looked [him] over just to get his money.”

In the meantime, ICON Park said it has notified the owner of the Orlando FreeFall, the SlingShot Group, demanding suspension not only of the operation of that ride but also the Orlando SlingShot, effective immediately, until the attractions are proven to be safe by authorities.

"We continue to grieve the passing of Tyre Sampson and our thoughts are with his family and friends. This was the saddest day in the history of ICON Park and we’re working hard to make sure this never happens again," the park said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Sampson's mother, Nekia Dodd, has launched a GoFundMe account to help pay for her son's funeral, along with other miscellaneous expenses.

"No mother wants to get the call that I received that night and find out that my son died in such a horrific way. There is no money or compensation that will make up for my son's death," she posted to the page. "I am raising funds for any extra funeral expenses, food, therapy, clothing, anything that helps my situation."

As of Tuesday, the online fundraiser has raised more than $8,100. Dodd hopes to raise at least $30,000.

NOTE: GoFundMe is a Patch promotional partner.