Sampson Tire was on spring break in Orlando when he fell about 100 feet during a tower drop. It was March 2022. He was 14 years old and visiting ICON Park with his soccer team. A month after the teen's death, his family sued ICON, the owner of the ride, Eagle Drop Slingshot, and the ride's manufacturer, Funtime Handels GmbH, by NBC News.
RELATED: Parents of Tire Sampson file wrongful death lawsuit against ICON Park in Orlando
Since Thursday, December 5, Tire Sampson's parents are millionaires thanks to their settlement with Funtime. A Florida jury reportedly awarded the family $310 million after a speedy trial. Last year, Tyr's parents also settled with the other two defendants for undisclosed amounts. The final reward will be split equally between Tyr's mother and father, worth $155 million each.
The family's attorney, Ben Crump, said the Funtime settlement is a “step forward” in holding these types of entertainment companies accountable.
“This verdict is a step forward in holding companies accountable for the safety of their products,” Crump was quoted as saying in his statement. “The jury's decision confirms what we have long maintained: Tyre's death was the result of gross negligence and a failure to prioritize safety over profits.”
What happened to the Drop Tower Ride tire that Sampson fell off of?
The suit went to civil trial, and an Orange County jury awarded millions after about an hour of deliberation. Jury selection also took place Thursday. Funtime Handels GmbH is based in Austria.
At the time of Tire Sampson's fatal fall, the teen weighed 383 pounds, nearly 100 pounds more than the ride's 285-pound limit. Additionally, the ride did not have a seat belt.
Less than a year after Tyr's death, on March 14, 2023, cranes dismantled the FreeFall ride at ICON Park. The ride up the tower featured a 430 foot drop. A few months later, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed the Tire Sampson Act to strengthen the safety standards required at amusement parks. In Orlando alone, there are more than 18 similar entertainment venues.
RELATED: Oh, no! Man exits moving roller coaster in Arizona after safety bar unlocks
What do you think of roommates?
#Tire #Sampson39s #parents #win #million #ride #death
News,drop tower ride,Eagle Drop Slingshot,featured,Funtime Handels GmbH,tyre sampson,Tyre Sampson family lawsuit update,Tyre Sampson family lawsuit win,Tyre Sampson lawsuit,Tyre Sampson lawsuit death,Tyre Sampson lawsuit death drop tower ride,Tyre Sampson parents ,
