The father of the 14-year-old boy who died after falling from an amusement park ride in Orlando, Florida, last week has revealed how he found out about his son’s death when he saw a video online.
Tyre Sampson, from Missouri, died on Thursday 24 March while on holiday with friends, having fallen from the 430-foot Orlando Free Fall ride at the ICON Park – billed as the world’s tallest free-standing drop tower ride.
Orange County sheriff John Mina described Sampson's death as a 'terrible tragedy', and revealed that the boy was rushed to hospital immediately after the fall, where he was pronounced dead from his injuries.
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The tragic moment was captured on video by various people who were both on the ride and on the ground, a number of whom posted the footage on social media – which was where his own father found out about his son’s death.
Speaking to WESH2, Yarnell Sampson said he only heard about what had happened to the teenager after stumbling upon a video of the fall online.
He said: "It felt like somebody hit me so hard in my stomach.
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"I just lost, I lost, lost wind. And the pain behind it could never be taken away, and sorry's not gonna take it back and no monies, no nothing in the world to replace the young man."
Sampson added: "And it's just sad, a young man's bright future was taken away from him over a ride, an amusement park."
The heartbroken father said the whole thing has felt like a nightmare, and that he now wants 'answers'.
He continued: "I wish I was there to tell him I love him. That I'm sorry. For him to lose his life. So young, and I wish it was me.
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“I want to know what happened to my son. I want to know why my son is in a white bag, having to get shipped back home.
"He walked there. Why he can't walk back? I want answers from everybody. Who all was involved in that?"
In a previous interview with WOFL-TV, Sampson said his son was 'feeling uncomfortable' when the ride took off, claiming he had begun to panic after noticing his harness. As he started 'freaking out', the teen was heard asking a friend next to him to tell his parents that he loves them if he didn't 'make it down'.
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"For him to say something like that, he must have felt something," Sampson said.
In the wake of the tragic death, ICON Park said it was working with authorities, saying in a statement on its website: "Tonight, the ICON Park family is grieving because of the tragedy involving Tyre Sampson. Our heartfelt thoughts are with his family and friends. ICON Park is committed to being a place where families can spend quality time together in a safe and fun space.
"We are in close coordination and will continue to cooperate with law enforcement and regulators regarding our tenant, the SlingShot Group."
A spokesperson for SlingShot Group said in a statement to Sky News: "We are heartbroken with the incident that took the life of one of our guests. We extend our condolences and deepest sympathy to his family and friends."
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If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence contact Cruse Bereavement Care via their national helpline on 0808 808 1677
Topics: US News
Jess Hardiman