Investigators Say That Tyre Sampson's Seat Had Been Modified So That Ride Could Operate
Investigators claim that Tyre Sampson's seat had been modified so the ride could operate.
On March 24, 14-year-old Tyre Sampson tragically fell to his death from the 430-foot Orlando Free Fall ride at the ICON Park.
A team of forensic engineers, which were hired by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services concluded that Sampson had slid out of the harness, feet first, while sliding over the seat horn that sat between his legs.
The gap between the boy's harness and the top of the seat horn was 6-7 inches, they found, as reported by Daily Mail.
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Whereas, other seats had a gap averaging 3.33 inches.
However, the investigators have suggested that the sensors had apparently been modified before Sampson's ride, in order to approve the seat's closure, despite the wide gap.
The investigators found that the ride 'did not experience a mechanical or electrical failure'.
Tyre's dad, Yarnell, has said that his son – known by his friends as Big Tick – was 6ft 5ins and weighed 340lbs (154kg).
The manual states: "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."
The accident report revealed that Tyre's seat was still in a locked position when the ride stopped.
Sampson is said to have come out of the seat when the magnets engaged to slow the ride during the descent, according to the report obtained by CNN.
"[The] Harness was still in a down and locked position when the ride stopped," the report said.
SlingShot Group spokesperson John Stine previously told CBS News it's 'very difficult to say' what went wrong, adding: "The way the ride is designed, with all the safety features and redundancy, there shouldn't be an issue."
Speaking to FOX 35, the father said: "He was panicking when he was going up. When the ride took off, that's when he was feeling uncomfortable. He was like, 'What's going on?'
"That's when he started freaking out, and he was explaining to his friend next to him, 'I don't know man. If I don't make it down, please tell my Mom and Daddy I love them.'
"For him to say something like that, he must have felt something."
He added: "This should never happen to anyone else's child ever again, and if I have anything to do with this, it will not happen ever again."
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Topics: US News
Anish Vij