911 Caller Claimed Teen Who Fell To His Death At Amusement Park May Not Have Been Properly Strapped In

A 911 caller claimed a teen who feel to his death at an amusement park may not have been properly strapped in.

Tyre Sampson died after riding the Orlando Free Fall attraction at ICON Park in Florida on Thursday (24 March).

As the ride dropped, the 14-year-old could be seen falling from it and plummeting to the ground, prompting eyewitnesses to call emergency services.

FOX 35

One such call claimed the teenager was not properly strapped in.

In the recording, the caller can be heard saying: "I don't know from where he fell. They didn't secure the seatbelt on him."

Another call paints a graphic picture of the tragic scene.

The man can be heard saying: "They're saying he's breathing, but he's not responsive. Looks like his arms are broken and his legs."

The caller goes on to say that he thinks Tyre is dead, and when asked by the operator why he'd reached this conclusion, he added: "He's face down, there's blood everywhere. He's not breathing. I've checked his pulse, there's no pulse."

SlingShot Group, who owns the ride, said its safety precautions mean it is only meant to operate if all riders are safely locked in.

Spokesperson John Stine 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."

It comes after Tyre's dad spoke out about his son's fears before the ride set off.

Tyre, from Missouri, was on holiday with friends through a football programme when he visited the amusement park, but dad Yarnell said his boy was worried about the ride before his tragic death.

FOX 35

Speaking to FOX 35, he 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."

The ride opened in December and is described as the world's tallest free-standing drop tower, which takes up to 30 guests up into the air, before dropping 400 feet at 70mph.

Speaking at a press conference, Orange County Sheriff John Mina said: "Based on all of our preliminary investigation information, it appears to be a terrible tragedy, but our investigation is still open."

In a statement, ICON Park said: "Tonight, the ICON Park family is grieving because of the tragedy involving Tyre Sampson. Our heartfelt thoughts are with his family and friends. 

"We are in close coordination and will continue to cooperate with law enforcement and regulators regarding our tenant, the SlingShot Group."

UNILAD has reached out to ICON Park and SlingShot Group for further comment.

If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence contact Cruse Bereavement Care via their national helpline on 0808 808 1677 

Topics: US News

Jake Massey

Jake Massey is a journalist at LADbible. He graduated from Newcastle University, where he learnt a bit about media and a lot about living without heating. After spending a few years in Australia and New Zealand, Jake secured a role at an obscure radio station in Norwich, inadvertently becoming a real-life Alan Partridge in the process. From there, Jake became a reporter at the Eastern Daily Press. Jake enjoys playing football, listening to music and writing about himself in the third person.

@jakesmassey