ORLANDO, Fla. – Day after day, the family of Tyre Sampson has gathered outside of ICON Park, in front of the ride where the 14-year-old fell and died last week.
Supporters marched on his behalf, calling for justice, on Tuesday.
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With signs and bull horns in hand, the group marched from the memorial to Sand Lake Road and back. They said they want their voices to be heard. The group is asking that the Orlando FreeFall attraction be torn down.
They were joined by people they have never met before, like Wesley Thompson.
“I would want someone to do that for me or, you know, for someone I knew or someone I was related to,” Thompson said.
At first, Thompson said he did not feel it was his place to join in, but after recalling the horrifying fall from the drop tower, he wanted to help in anyway he could.
“As far as I know his death was preventable,” Thompson said. “When a kid dies, that’s what brings our community together. That’s when something needs to be said here and now.”
Ritchie Armstrong, CEO of the Slingshot Group, said Tuesday the company has suspended operations of both Orlando FreeFall and Orlando SlingShot at ICON Park.
“We are heartbroken by the loss of Tyre Sampson and absolutely devastated for his family and loved ones. We have suspended the operations of the Free Fall ride and the Slingshot ride at Icon Park,” Armstrong said in a statement Tuesday. “We are fully cooperating with the authorities at the state and local levels who are investigating this tragic incident. We plan on providing additional information in the coming days, as we learn more.”