ORLANDO, Fla. - Lawyers representing the family of Tyre Sampson, the teen who fell off a drop tower ride at ICON Park in March and died, visited the amusement park Tuesday morning in Orlando, Florida to get their first look at the ride.CONTINUING COVERAGE: Icon Park Death InvestigationAttorney Ben Crump, who represents Yarnell Sampson, Tyre's father, and Michael Haggard, who represents Tyre's mom, Nekia Dodd, were seen talking with various people – presumably inspectors – near the ride.At one point, someone was seen measuring each of the seats, which along with size, weight restrictions, and restraints have become focal points of the investigation from outside experts, lawmakers, and officials into the teen's death."We are doing a thorough investigation into the tragic killing of this 14-year-old child who should have never been killed.
We believe this was completely preventable," Crump told reporters in brief remarks.Asked if there was anything that stood out to him during his investigation, Crump reiterated that he and his team were doing a thorough investigation and that they believed the teen's death was preventable."Other than George Floyd's tragic torture video, I think this is the worst tragedy captured on video that I've ever seen," he said.
Crump walked to his car and did not answer any further questions. "We have to find out how this never happens again," Haggard said.Haggard pointed to the Drop Line ride at Dollywood in Tennessee, a drop tower-style ride that's slightly smaller than Orlando FreeFall, but made by the same manufacturer, FunTime Thrill Rides, as using seatbelts.
That ride, however, does not tilt forward like FreeFall in Orlando.Dollywood did close Drop Line out of an abundance of caution.