Florida Ride operator ignored safety concerns before the teen’s death, the lawsuit says

ORLANDO — Maintenance technicians claimed on Wednesday that the 14-year-old raised safety issues with the operator of a recreational ride in Central Florida before his death, but his concerns were never addressed.

Austin Campbell Alexander said in the state whistleblower lawsuit that the Orlando Freefall ride at Icon Park has sensors that have been modified to accommodate people whose height or weight is outside the safety limit. He also claimed that the overheated cylinder prevented the seat from being properly secured, and that the metal structure of the drop ride has cracks in the joints. Campbell Alexander also said he and his colleagues were not trained in vehicle maintenance or patronage safety.

“He brought these concerns to his manager and the owner of the ride. Essentially they didn’t do what they should have done,” one of his lawyers, Greg Schmitz, said in a phone interview.

Ride Operator’s lawyer Trevor Arnold said in an email that Campbell Alexander’s claims were in direct conflict with the statement he provided after the accident.

“Our clients immediately investigated the tragic accident that led to the death of Tyre Sampson. When they discovered that Campbell Alexander had adjusted the sensor that caused the accident, he was stopped and resolved further involvement and access to the ride,” Arnold said. “When we learned of the conduct of Campbell Alexander and other employees, we actively notified the investigators.”

Tire Sampson fell 70 feet on March 24, 2022. The soccer team was 6 feet, 2 inches tall and weighed 380 pounds. He visited Orlando for spring break from the St. Louis area.

Sampson went with friends to an amusement park on International Drive in the heart of the area’s tourist district, where they rode the Orlando Freefall, placing 30 riders in a tower-mounted seat. After the ride was secured with a shoulder harness, the ride lifted the tower and dropped 430 feet.

Due to Sampson’s size, the harness wasn’t locked properly and he was kicked out of his seat when the ride was worn out, authorities said.

Campbell Alexander was not present during the accident, but since then he has suffered from depression and anxiety, Schmitz said.

He said he was asked to fill in a blank maintenance log after Sampson’s death, indicating that the task had been performed several weeks before the accident. Campbell-Alexander refused, taking paid administrative leave for a year and not allowed to return to his property, the lawsuit said.

Campbell Alexander was fired after Sampson’s family reached a settlement with the Ride operator. His lawyers said it was retaliation for safety concerns he flagged. Sampson’s family also won a $310 million verdict last year against the attraction’s Austrian builder.

The lawsuit filed in Orlando’s state court said Campbell Alexander is seeking more than $50,000. Schmitz said it should include refunds, compensatory damages and punitive damages.

“It was very traumatic from his point of view and I worked there,” Schmitz said.

By Associated Press, Mike Schneider