Funtime Handels ordered to pay $310 million for Tyre Sampson's death at ICON Park

In a tragic incident that occurred on March 24, 2022, Tyre Sampson, a 14-year-old from Missouri, fell to his death while riding the Orlando FreeFall at ICON Park in Florida. The thrill ride, which is a 430-foot tall drop tower, allowed Sampson to board despite him being significantly over the weight limit of 287 pounds. Reports indicated that park staff had to manually adjust the restraints to accommodate him. During the ride's drop, he slipped out and fell over 200 feet, leading to critical injuries and death that were confirmed by an autopsy. The incident was captured on video, sparking outrage and a subsequent legal battle on behalf of Sampson's family. Following this incident, Sampson's parents, Mekia Dodd and Yarnell Sampson, filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the manufacturer Funtime Handels, the owner-operator Slingshot Group, and ICON Park in April 2022. Throughout the nearly three-year legal process, the family's attorney, Ben Crump, voiced their need for accountability and recognition of their loss. On Thursday, the Orlando courthouse awarded the family a substantial $310 million verdict, dividing it into two separate payments of $155 million to each parent. This ruling marked a significant development in a long and emotionally taxing court case for the grieving family who lost their son so abruptly. Adding to their frustration, Funtime Handels, an Austrian-based company, did not send any representatives to court during the verdict announcement, leaving Sampson's mother and father feeling unacknowledged in their tragedy. They expressed their desire for an apology from the company, which they did not receive. The legal implications for Funtime Handels could extend beyond the civil suit, as failure to pay the court-ordered amount may impact their ability to conduct business in the United States. Legal experts noted that U.S. government bodies, including the Department of Commerce and State Department, could intervene if Funtime refuses to acknowledge the judgment. Furthermore, in March 2023, the ride itself was demolished, an event attended by Tyre's mother, symbolizing not only the end of the ride's operation but also the family's journey through grief and justice. The verdict offers a glimpse of closure for the Sampson family while sending a clear message about operational safety and accountability within amusement parks, highlighting the consequences of negligence in handling rider safety.