Tyre Sampson Investigation Reveals That Teen’s Seat Was Manually Adjusted For His Weight

As the investigation into the death of Tyre Sampson continues, investigators have discovered that seats on the ride had been manually adjusted.

Quest Engineering & Failure Analysis, Inc. found that operators of the fateful Orlando Free Fall ride manually adjusted two seats, one of which was Sampsons, to allow for larger riders. However, based on the safety guidelines, this should not have occurred.

“Seat 1’s harness proximity sensor was manually loosened, adjusted, and tightened to allow a restraint opening of near seven inches,” the report read. This is nearly four inches more than the restraints’ normal opening range. The opening on the restraint could have extended to as much as ten inches with enough force.

Sampson, who fell to his death after boarding the Free Fall ride on March 24th, was likely too heavy for the ride, a factor that operators should have immediately recognized. The 14-year-old weighed 340 pounds, while the rollercoaster’s weight limit was 250 pounds.

Though the examination did not specify who conducted the adjustments, it did state that they were made after the ride’s harness sensors were first fastened in place.

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services Nikki Fried confirmed that they are now looking into why these adjustments were made and who is ultimately responsible before imposing penalties.

“Mr. Sampson was never properly secured to his seat,” Fried stated.

Trevor Arnold, the attorney representing Orlando Slingshot, the ride’s operator, has maintained that “all protocols, procedures and safety measures” were followed.

The probe is ongoing.