Tyre Sampson: US jury orders payout for family of teen who died on theme park ride

Tyre, 14, was visiting ICON theme park in Orlando with his American football team during spring break.

After falling from the ride, he was taken to a nearby children’s hospital where he died from his injuries.

In awarding damages this week, the jury said the amount was for the “pain and suffering as a result of Tyre Sampson’s injury and death”.

“Tyre’s death was the result of blatant negligence and a failure to prioritise safety over profits,” the family’s lawyer, Ben Crump said.

The damages have been split equally between Tyre’s mother and father, who launched the civil suit in March 2022, a month after their son’s death.

Last year, they settled for an undisclosed amount with two other defendants, the ride’s owner, Eagle Drop Slingshot, and ICON Park, where it operated.