Global Courant 2023-05-29 11:00:04
Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer, which means more families are returning to theme parks.
According to the National Safety Council, 1,281 people were involved in injuries during theme park rides in 2021 alone.
Here’s an overview of some of the recent incidents at theme parks:
Orlando FreeFall – March 24, 2022:
Fourteen-year-old Tire Sampson died on March 24, 2022 after falling off the Orlando FreeFall ride at ICON Park in Orlando, Florida.
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A Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services report states that the harness of the seat Sampson sat in had a proximity sensor that was “manually loosened, adjusted, and tightened to allow for an opening of nearly 7 inches.”
Typically, the range is about 3 inches, according to the report.
A manual for the ride states that the maximum passenger weight is just over 286 pounds. Sampson was 6-foot-5 and reportedly weighed 360 pounds.
In the aftermath of the incident, legislation was passed to improve driving safety, requiring the posting of signs informing people of ride restrictions, such as maximum and minimum height and weight – something that was a central point in Sampson’s incident.
Nearly a year after 14-year-old Tire Sampson tragically fell off the 400-foot Orlando FreeFall ride, crews are working to dismantle the ride. (FOX 35 Orlando)
The bill requires such signs to be “prominently displayed” at the entrance of each ride.
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Ritchie Armstrong, who works for Orlando Slingshot, which operates Orlando FreeFall, told Fox News Digital in a statement that the company is pleased that the “Tyre Sampson Act” has been passed.
“We remain committed to the safety of our patrons and have expressed our support for this legislation throughout the process in the legislature,” Armstrong said.
Florida State Fair – February 17, 2023:
In another freak incident at the Florida State Fair in Tampa, an amusement park ride abruptly stopped with passengers on board on Feb. 17, leaving passengers stuck in the air as some carriages flew back and forth repeatedly and some passengers hung upside down. The malfunction was not caused any serious injuries.
“Oh my God. Oh my God. Oh my God,” you hear a woman say as she looks at the ride box.
An amusement park ride at the Florida State Fair in Tampa stopped midair on Feb. 17 as the carriages overturned. (Brandi Freymuller via Storyful)
Brandi Freymuller, the person who shot the video, later said she was concerned that children would fall off the ride.
“I was originally live on TikTok, but I had to stop because I was afraid one of the kids would drop out,” Freymuller said. “There’s no seatbelt, no harnesses… the ride is meant to put you through gravity because there’s nothing to keep them in the car. We thought they’d fall out.”
DreamWorks Water Park – February 19, 2023:
In New Jersey on February 19, a decorative helicopter hanging from the ceiling crashed into a swimming pool.
The support fell shortly after 3 p.m. at DreamWorks Water Park, which is part of the American Dream shopping and entertainment complex in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Four people were injured in the incident.
The prop helicopter crashed into a swimming pool at DreamWorks Water Park. (@jonnyvsbdikd via Storyful)
A spokesperson for the mall told FOX 5 that the “safety of our guests is our top priority” and that a “thorough investigation” into the incident would be conducted.
Silver Dollar City – October 27, 2022:
A train ride derailed at a Missouri amusement park on October 27, 2022, injuring six guests and an employee. None of the guests had life-threatening injuries.
Video of the incident shows train cars with wheels separated from their undercarriage.
At the time of the incident, an official said the train was almost full.
“The ride had an up-to-date operating permit and Silver Dollar City is cooperating fully with the investigation,” the Missouri Division of Fire Safety tweeted after the incident.
Global Courant
Seven people were injured in the train derailment at Silver Dollar City amusement park. (Gary EldridGary Eldridge via Spectee /TMXge via Spectee /TMX)
The theme park, Silver Dollar City, said in a statement that it “wholeheartedly” supports first responders and guests.
“Silver Dollar confirms that parts of the Frisco Silver Dollar Line steam train derailed from the track earlier in the evening,” the statement said.
Fox News’ Stephen Sorace, Greg Norman and Andrea Vacchiano contributed to this report.
Adam Sabes is a writer for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to Adam.Sabes@fox.com and on Twitter @asabes10.
