A Florida department has hired a medical examiner to investigate the Orlando FreeFall incident where a 14-year-old died after falling from a walk on March 24. Tire Sampson, 14, died after falling from the Orlando Free Fall in ICON Park on March 24. In a press conference Friday, Nikki Fried, Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner, said her department hired a medical examiner with Quest Engineering to help investigate the Orlando FreeFall incident. Engineers assisting in the investigation also participated in the investigation following the derailment of the Sand Blaster train at Daytona Beach on June 14, 2018, which injured nine people, according to Fox 35 Orlando, according to Fried. Following the investigation into the Orlando FreeFall incident, Fried said the rules would be changed if necessary. FREE FALL TRAGEDIES IN FLORIDA: THE CENTER OF DEATH FALL IN THE VEGETABLE PARK WAS BUILT IN DECEMBER Nikki Fried, Florida Agriculture Commissioner and Democratic nominee for governor of Florida in 2022, arrives for a ceremony with US President Joe Biden. (Drew Angerer / Getty Images) “I am also here today to reassure Tire’s family, friends and all those affected by this tragedy that we are fully committed to knowing what happened so that we can better prevent such tragedies in the future,” Fried said. “And that is why we will not jump to conclusions before we are given the information and we know all the facts.” Fried said the route would be closed “indefinitely” and said future route status would be determined at the end of the investigation. The Orlando Free Fall Tower in ICON Park, Orlando, Florida, is pictured on March 28, 2022. 14-year-old Tire Sampson was killed when he fell from a walk last week. (Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel / Tribune News Service via Getty Image) The Sand Blaster train was shut down by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services following an investigation. An initial inspection of the Orlando FreeFall was conducted in December 2021 before the route was opened to the public and no problems were found with the route. Amusement park rides should have safety inspections every six months after the initial safety inspection. FLOOD FLOWING TEENAGER DEATH FLORIDA: DRIVING SAFETY SPECIAL CABLE “DID NOT OPEN CORRECTLY” Tire Sampson (FOX 35 Orlando) An accident report completed by an employee after Sampson fell from the Orlando FreeFall states that the belt was still locked when the ride stopped. “FreeFall was coming [sic] under the tower. “When the magnets became entangled, the visitor got out of the seat,” an official wrote in the report. “The leash was still down and locked when the ride stopped.” The Orlando FreeFall driver’s manual states that the maximum passenger weight is just over 286 pounds. The Sampson was 6 feet, 5 inches tall and weighed 330 pounds, according to St. Louis Post-Dispatch. TEENAGE DEATH FREE FALLING FLORIDA: THE LOCKER STILL LOCKED LOCKER AFTER A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT IN ORLANDO PARK Amusement park visitors were shocked to see a teenage boy die after falling from one of the park’s walks. (Fox 35) Fried said the issue of maximum weight would be addressed during the investigation and said the department would do everything it could to prevent another incident like this. “We will do everything in our power, including the possible increase of our power, to make sure that this never happens again. “This is my official promise to everyone that we will have a full and thorough investigation that is going to be transparent,” Fried said. CLICK HERE TO RECEIVE THE FOX NEWS APPLICATION Tourists enjoy walks and amenities at ICON Park in Orlando on Thursday, March 24, 2022. (Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel) In a statement, the SlingShot Group, which runs Orlando FreeFall, said it would work with the research and expressed its deepest support for Sampson’s family and friends. “We are devastated by the incident that cost the life of one of our guests. We express our condolences and our deepest condolences to his family and friends. We are working with the Sheriff’s Office and cavalry officials for a full investigation. Orlando “FreeFall will be closed until further notice”, it is mentioned in the announcement.
