The parents of a 14-year-old boy watched in horror from the ground as their son fell to his death after falling from the world’s tallest drop tower ride on Thursday night.
The horrific accident happened while doing the Free Fall Ride at ICON Amusement Park in Orlando. The ride, which opened in December, has a capacity for 30 thrill-seekers, who spiral around a pole as the ride climbs more than 400 feet before maneuvering passengers first to touch the ground and then with them about 75 mph down crashes on the ICON site. When it opened, it was billed as the “world’s tallest free-standing drop tower.”
The teenager’s shocking death was caught on various cell phone cameras by people in the drive and those on the ground – several of whom posted it on social media. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office that responded to the incident is investigating whether the young victim met height requirements and whether he was wearing a seat belt properly. Video shows him sliding out of his seat as the ride hurtled down.
“At first we thought it was part of the ride or whatever, until we got a little closer and it was a person lying on the ground,” a park visitor named Montrey Williams told a local Fox News affiliate. “Everyone just panicked and screamed.”
The head of the park’s public relations group said safety is always a priority. “We are operating the ride with all safety precautions in mind,” John Stinet told FOX 35 News. “Everything is in place and that’s why we’re conducting this investigation.”
The ride has been closed while the death is investigated, but the amusement park remains open.