A “loophole” in Florida law may have prevented the Orlando FreeFall operator from having to display a “maximum weight” sign off the track, an amusement park security expert told Fox News Digital. Tire Sampson, 14, died after falling from the Orlando FreeFall at ICON Park in Orlando, Florida, on March 24. An operation manual for Orlando FreeFall reports that the maximum passenger weight is just over 286 pounds. Sampson was 6 feet tall, 5 inches tall and weighed 360 pounds. Brian Avery, University of Florida A lecturer and driving safety expert told Fox News Digital that a “loophole” in Florida law prevented the route operator from having to display an off-road weight requirement. FREE FLIGHT TRAGEDIES IN FLORIDA: STATE ORGANIZATION RECRUITS A PHYSICAL ENGINEER TO INVESTIGATE DEATH IN VEGETABLE PARK The Orlando Free Fall Tower at ICON Park in Orlando, Florida is pictured on March 28, 2022. 14-year-old Tire Sampson was killed when he fell from a walk last week. (Orlando Sentinel via Getty) He said Florida law states that “certain rider requirements and things such as weight, height, health issues may be posted only if requested or recommended by the manufacturer.” The manufacturer’s operating manual for the Orlando FreeFall 430-foot states that height and several other restrictions on the route, such as “big people”, should appear on the route, but maximum weight is not one of them. Avery said this is a “kind of window”. “And at that point, you know, for me this is a kind of window, because if you’re going to ask the visitor to review your signage, be aware and warned of the potential dangers and make a driving decision or not based on “In their circumstances, you need to publish this information so that they can make an informed decision about whether this rider device fits them,” Avery said. He said that this “window” must be closed. FREE FALL TRAGEDIES IN FLORIDA: THE CENTER OF FREE FALLS WAS BUILT IN DECEMBER Tourists enjoy walks and amenities at ICON Park in Orlando on Thursday 24 March 2022. (Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel) “This is something that needs to be closed going forward,” Avery said. A Florida rule on amusement park signage states that information such as age, height and weight restrictions should be “displayed prominently at the entrance to the amusement park”, but only if “required or recommended by the amusement park manufacturer” parks. “ Photos circulating on social media are supposed to show the “rider qualifications” sign displayed outside the Orlando FreeFall. It mentions the minimum height for a person to walk, but it does not mention the weight. The SlingShot Group of Companies did not disclose to Fox News Digital whether the route had a weight limit before the teen’s death. Sampson’s father said in an interview at Orlando 35 that his son could say something was wrong. “When the ride took off, it was when he felt uncomfortable. It was like, ‘This thing is moving.’ he told FOX 35 Orlando. “Explain to his friends. ‘If I can not… please tell my mom and dad I love them.’ To say that, he must have felt something. “ Sampson initially told FOX 35 Orlando in an interview that Tire weighed 340 pounds, but Michael Haggard, who represents Tire’s mother Nekia Dodd, said Tuesday he weighed 360 pounds. Haggard also said Tuesday that the Orlando FreeFall has a weight limit that “is not disclosed to anyone,” according to ClickOrlando. “[The owners of Orlando Freefall] have a weight restriction that is not disclosed to anyone. “This is really amazing because when you start talking about 75 mph, from 430 feet to an almost sudden stop when you are tilted, the biggest risk we can all think about is gravity,” Haggard said. “They did nothing to reveal anything.” FLOOD FLOWING TEENAGER DEATH FLORIDA: DRIVING SAFETY SPECIAL CABLE “DID NOT OPEN CORRECTLY” Tire Sampson (FOX 35 Orlando) At a news 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. Fried said possible rule changes could occur at the end of the investigation into the incident, if justified. CLICK HERE TO RECEIVE THE FOX NEWS APPLICATION Tourists enjoy walks and amenities at ICON Park in Orlando on Thursday 24 March 2022. (Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel) In a statement to Fox News Digital, Trevor Arnold, a lawyer representing the Orlando FreeFall operator, said he was working with government agencies on their investigations. “The Orlando Eagle Drop continues to work at every level with all government agencies and their respective investigations. Friday’s promise from Florida lawmakers to make changes in our industry is welcome. We are committed to working with those responsible for to make a difference, as Public safety remains the top priority of the Orlando Eagle Drop On Monday, April 4, we will have on-site staff from the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and will continue to provide additional information as appropriate. “with respect to ongoing research,” Arnold said.
