Company behind FreeFall ride that killed Tyre Sampson ordered to pay over $300M
ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) - A Florida jury has ordered the company behind the FreeFall drop tower ride to pay over $300 million to the family of Tyre Sampson.
Sampson, a 14-year-old from the St. Louis area, died on a freefall ride at Icon Plaza in Orlando, Florida, in March of 2022. The ride was taken down after Sampson’s death.
On Thursday, a jury in Orange County determined that Funtime Handels, the foreign company behind the ride, should pay $310 million in damages to Sampson’s family.
Read: Accident report in Tyre Sampson’s death says park ride seat was locked
Attorneys Ben Crump and Natalie Jackson issued the following statement after the jury’s verdict:
“This verdict is a step forward in holding corporations able for the safety of their products. 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. The ride’s manufacturers neglected their duty to protect engers, and today’s outcome ensures they face the consequences of those decisions.
“We hope this case serves as a wake-up call for the entire industry to implement stricter safety measures and oversight to prevent such tragedies from happening again. Tyre’s legacy will be a safer future for riders everywhere.”
A year after the tragedy, a settlement was reached between Sampson’s family and the park. The details were not made public.
Copyright 2024 KMOV. All rights reserved.
