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By Shamim Chowdhury
Content Reporter
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The parents of Tyre Sampson, a 14-year-old Missouri boy who fell to his death from a high-speed Orlando amusement park ride two years ago, won a $310 million verdict against the Austrian manufacturer of the attraction.
On Thursday, an Orange County, Florida, jury awarded $155 million each to Tyre's parents, Nekia Dodd and Yarnell Sampson, after finding that Funtime, the ride's manufacturer, was responsible for the deadly incident.
Tyre Sampson died on March 24, 2022, after plummeting 70 feet from the Orlando Free Fall ride at Icon Park in Orlando, Florida.
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The ride, which dropped passengers from a height of 430 feet, did not have seat belts—an additional safety feature that is found on most drop rides.
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How Did Tyre Sampson Fall?
Tyre, who was 6-foot-2 and weighed 380 pounds, had not been properly secured into his harness, which failed to lock because of his size. As the ride braked, he was ejected and fell to his death.
The trial, which lasted just one day, saw Funtime fail to appear in court to defend itself.
In response to the verdict, the family's attorneys, Ben Crump and Natalie Jackson, issued a statement saying: "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."
They criticized the ride's manufacturers for neglecting their duty to protect passengers, and stressed that the verdict would hold them accountable.
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How Much Will Funtime Have to Pay?
The family had already reached a settlement with Icon Park for an undisclosed amount.
However, it now faces the challenge of pursuing the $310 million damages from Funtime, which is based in Austria, and will need to seek a court order from an Austrian court to collect.
Newsweek contacted Funtime, which designs thrill rides like Vomatron and Sling Shot, via email on Friday for comment.
Calls for Tighter Regulation on Rides
The company's website boasts about its high-speed, high-altitude attractions, but the incident cast a spotlight on safety concerns regarding such rides.
After the fatal accident, the state ordered the Orlando Free Fall ride closed and it has since been demolished.
The incident has sparked debates over ride safety and led to calls for stronger regulations to protect riders, particularly those who may not fit standard restraint systems.
This article contains additional reporting from The Associated Press.
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