ORLANDO, Fla. – A 14-year-old boy died late Thursday in a fall from a thrill ride in the Orlando tourist district, deputies said.
Orange County Sheriff John W. Mina identified the boy as Tyree Samson, 14. Mina said the teen was visiting Central Florida from Missouri, according to Mina.
(WATCH: Orange County Sheriff’s press conference)
The teen fell from the Orlando Free Fall attraction, billed as the world’s tallest free-standing drop tower, around 11:10 p.m. at ICON Park along International Drive, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. The boy was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead, deputies said.
“This appears to be a terrible tragedy,” Mina told reporters at a news conference Friday and said that Samson was in Orlando with a friend’s family.
Witnesses called 911 after seeing the teen fall from the ride as it was plummeting down and described the horrific events.
Dispatcher: “Just to confirm, is he awake”?
Caller: “Um, um, I am not sure. They are saying he is breathing . . . but he’s not responsive.”]
Dispatcher: “Okay.”
Caller: “Looks like his arms are broken.”
It’s not known how the boy fell from the drop tower, which is taller than the Statue of Liberty.
Workers could be seen after the teen fell in cellphone video. One worker asks another: “Did you check him? You guys are sure you checked him?”
The Orlando Free Fall, which opened in December, takes up to 30 guests high into the air before dropping 400 feet at 70 mph.
The company that operates the thrill ride said it is working with authorities to determine what happened.
“Our hearts go out to the family of this young man,” said John Stine, director of sales and marketing for The Slingshot Group, adding that there had been no issues previously reported with the ride.
Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings released a statement about the tragedy.
“I offer my deepest condolences for the family of the 14-year-old boy who died following the tragic incident at Icon Park,” Demings said. “I look to receiving more information about what happened in the incident and what will be done to prevent it from ever happening again. The Florida Department of Agriculture and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office investigations will bring clarity to the circumstances and next steps.”
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services oversees amusement ride inspections, with the exception of the state’s largest theme parks.
Investigators from the sheriff’s office and the Department of Agriculture were on site Friday.
Orlando Free Fall and the adjacent Orlando Sling Shot, also operated by The Slingshot Group will remain closed indefinitely, Stine said.