DEATH ON FREEFALL AT ICON PARK

[Lewisc]

Teen fell out
https://www.wftv.com/news/local/saf...-orlando-freefall/CJ3ACBOIZFDQHKUKL7EST2N2B4/

 

[Suger Mag]

So sad, my heart goes out to his family and I cannot imagine the terror. Looking at the ride, I dislike that type of restraint for myself (never mind I dont like drop rides). I have upper body proportions that often make those 'one piece' lowering over the head shoulder restraints that clip in to the seat challenging to close right, and sometimes require rearranging my boobs to make it click. It is always in my mind, that although the one piece whole shoulder/body restraint looks impressive and is wicked solid ... the whole restraint usually relies on a single click fastening like a seatbelt, and if that lets go, then away goes me.

 

[Disneylover99]

So horrifically sad.
I can’t imagine what his family is going through.

 

[middlechild]

Prayers for the family and friends. When riding these over the shoulders and click, the attendant comes by as a safety check and pulls on a tab to ensure the click. Wonder what happened in this case. Again prayers for the family and that the investigation discovers some failure so that no family has to go through this again, throughout any amusement park.

 

[Suger Mag]

Prayers for the family and friends. When riding these over the shoulders and click, the attendant comes by as a safety check and pulls on a tab to ensure the click. Wonder what happened in this case. Again prayers for the family and that the investigation discovers some failure so that no family has to go through this again, throughout any amusement park.

a transcript of the two attendants talking on video after the incident had them discussing the safety check, with each agreeing that they saw the light meaning the seats were all safely engaged.

https://www.clickorlando.com/news/l...ng-teens-fatal-fall-from-orlando-thrill-ride/
there seems to be a light with this system, when it is engaged, a light go on. My understanding also is that the ride is only allowed to ascend (via the computer) only if all seats are 'latched'.

 

[Jennasis]

This is horrifying and devastating. I also dislike those ride restraints that have my entire body weight potentially leaning against them at any point (like Manta at SeaWorld), especially if there is not a redundant backup. A seatbelt that comes up between the legs and clips into the bottom of the should harness likely would have prevented this tragedy, or an additional seatbelt across the waist.

 

[nw6675]

This is horrifying and devastating. I also dislike those ride restraints that have my entire body weight potentially leaning against them at any point (like Manta at SeaWorld), especially if there is not a redundant backup. A seatbelt that comes up between the legs and clips into the bottom of the should harness likely would have prevented this tragedy, or an additional seatbelt across the waist.

I completely agree with this. I, unfortunately, saw the complete video on Twitter. Horrible in every way imaginable. I know once something is on social media you can never really remove, but it absolutely should not be out there.

 

[HopperFan]

I completely agree with this. I, unfortunately, saw the complete video on Twitter. Horrible in every way imaginable. I know once something is on social media you can never really remove, but it absolutely should not be out there.

COMPLETE AND TOTAL SHAME to the person who filmed this then posted it on the internet. They are the lowest of the low. They should have turned over the video to the police/investigators and no one else. It is just so sad that people have zero empathy & heart and are more about clicks, attention and money (if anyone paid him to use the video or they made money on social media).

 

[SirDuff]

I completely agree with this. I, unfortunately, saw the complete video on Twitter. Horrible in every way imaginable. I know once something is on social media you can never really remove, but it absolutely should not be out there.

Isn’t that pretty hypocritical, given that you watched the entire video?

 

[nw6675]

Isn’t that pretty hypocritical, given that you watched the entire video?

It would be if I had knowingly watched a full unedited version. I did not fully know what I was about to see.

 

[jade1]

I did not fully know what I was about to see.

Exact same, coworker comes up "hey have you seen this ride" (on his phone) Shocked and not happy with him, but my gosh that family.

Also agreed it should never have been posted.

 

[DLgal]

Isn’t that pretty hypocritical, given that you watched the entire video?

Early in the day yesterday, the video was posted by legitimate news outlets and AUTOPLAYED the moment the kid fell out when you clicked to read the story. That's how I saw it. I didn't set out to see what I saw. They later pulled the video and apologized. It was too late at that point.

It was horrible. The entire video, which I watched MINUS the part where the victim falls out, is about 5 minutes long and shows approximately 3 minutes before the tower starts ascending, and at no point does an employee check anyone's harnesses. Rather, the one employee stands there chatting with one group of people while you can clearly see that the victim's harness is not properly engaged. These harnesses usually need to click down several times to be properly engaged. As the tower rises up, there are white lights underneath the seats, but one light is not illuminated. That was the seat the victim was sitting in. This was a failure on several fronts. Absolute negligence. But what do you expect when you are paying teenagers minimum wage to operate these types of rides with no oversight?

 

[DLgal]

COMPLETE AND TOTAL SHAME to the person who filmed this then posted it on the internet. They are the lowest of the low. They should have turned over the video to the police/investigators and no one else. It is just so sad that people have zero empathy & heart and are more about clicks, attention and money (if anyone paid him to use the video or they made money on social media).

On the other hand, the company is already trying to claim employees did the required safety checks, and the video seems to prove that isn't the case, so putting it out there a least gives the family ammunition to go after the ride operator for negligence. The video literally shows the ride beginning to slowly ascend while someone yells "Seatbelt on the left! Check the seatbelt on the left!" The ride should have been e stopped RIGHT THEN. It was allowed to continue.

If I witnessed something this horrific and got it on video, I would give the police a copy, but I would not just give them the ONLY copy. I wouldn't trust them with it.

I would have actually turned it over to the family, though, not posted it online or given it in full to a news outlet. So I agree with you there.

 

[HopperFan]

On the other hand, the company is already trying to claim employees did the required safety checks, and the video seems to prove that isn't the case, so putting it out there a least gives the family ammunition to go after the ride operator for negligence. The video literally shows the ride beginning to slowly ascend while someone yells "Seatbelt on the left! Check the seatbelt on the left!" The ride should have been e stopped RIGHT THEN. It was allowed to continue.

If I witnessed something this horrific and got it on video, I would give the police a copy, but I would not just give them the ONLY copy. I wouldn't trust them with it.

I would have actually turned it over to the family, though, not posted it online or given it in full to a news outlet. So I agree with you there.

Oh I agree, I would have passed the video on to the lawyers of the family as well - once they were in place. Let them decide how public they wish to make it with the news. I just meant at the time of the accident I wouldn't immediately be publishing it to the public to be spread all over the internet. That was bottom dweller action for sure. It should only be in the hands of the professionals working the case.

 

[soniam]

That ride would have been a big NOPE for me before this event. I don't like straight down, fast drops. The leaning forward part would have just driven me extra crazy. After this, it's an absolute NOPE NEVER. I really dislike "fair" type rides that are not associated with a reputable theme park/amusement park. I always worry that they are not a well maintained or staff isn't as well trained. I sort of include Six Flags in this, especially after the incident in Arlington, TX, a few years ago and growing up with the horrible attention to safety they had when I was a kid. They never made sure that I was fully secure in anything. Except for my intelligence and fear of dying, I could have been easily hurt. I always had to hold onto ill-fitted safety harnesses/bars for dear life, because I could easily slip out of them. Things are more safety oriented now than then, but still.

 

[DeeBee3]

It is completely horrifying. I saw it mentioned the teen was 6' 5" and approx 330 lbs. That's a big 14 year old. Maybe that had something to do with the system not operating properly? Not meaning it's his fault - maybe the safety and system is not proper for larger guests?

 

[DLgal]

It is completely horrifying. I saw it mentioned the teen was 6' 5" and approx 330 lbs. That's a big 14 year old. Maybe that had something to do with the system not operating properly? Not meaning it's his fault - maybe the safety and system is not proper for larger guests?

I read that this kid had been denied entry to other rides at the park due to his size and the staff at the free fall ride told him, essentially, "come over here, we'll get you on this one." That is the story that is being circulated.

He was too large. The harness could not engage fully. It's a terrible, preventable tragedy. His parents have hired 2 attorneys and are seeking witnesses and any photos or video anyone may have.

 

[popy]

After this is all said and done, regardless who is at fault, all parks will on the lookout for ever big boy and girl. And it will be very embracing for those who want to ride, the rides, designed for the kiddos. It’s embarrassing now just wait until this all come down.

 

[GoingSince1990]

A horrible reminder that "pull up on the yellow strap" is there for a very good reason.

 

[New Mouse]

After this is all said and done, regardless who is at fault, all parks will on the lookout for ever big boy and girl. And it will be very embracing for those who want to ride, the rides, designed for the kiddos. It’s embarrassing now just wait until this all come down.

Nothing embarassing. If it isn't safe for you to ride it isn't safe.