Tyre Sampson identified as 14-year-old ICON Park Orlando victim who fell to his death from world’s tallest drop ride
THE 14-year-old boy who died after falling from the world's tallest drop ride was a high school football star.
Police identified the young man as Tyre Sampson of , who was visiting central Florida with a friend's family.
Witnesses said a rider had fallen off the Orlando Free Fall attraction, Fox35 reports.
Footage uploaded online shows the operator talking with riders before they take off into the air.
As the ride starts, the worker yells: "Hey did you take your seat belt on the left side. Seat belt."
Read more on the tragic incident
The thrillseekers on board then start rotating up the illuminated column.
The passengers rise hundreds of feet above the ground before plunging at a rapid speed.
A 14-year-old boy fell from the ride and was taken to hospital, where he died.
Sampson's youth football coach, AJ Jones, told that the teenager was a "humble giant" and a straight-A student with dreams of making it to the .
Witness Montrey Williams told Fox35: "At first we thought it was a piece of the ride or whatever until we got a little closer and it was a person laying on the ground.
"Everyone was just panicking and screaming."
'A GENTLE GIANT'
Brandon Gregory, a football coach who appeared to be with Sampson on the tragic night, said the teen was "so happy" to get away from St. Louis for Spring Break.
"Get your rest kid, as a coach you hate that phone call I received last night, Please keep his family and former/current teammates and coaches in prayer #RIPBigTick 💔💔💔💔🏈🏈.
"TELL MY GRAND SON LIL LONNIE WE MISS YALL DOWN HERE MY HEART IS TRULY BROKEN RIP Tyre Sampson YOU ARE LOVED BY MANY AND PLEASE PRAY FOR HES MOM AND ENTIRE FAMILY GONE TO SOON."
But, Kaminsky fell backwards onto a platform below.
CEO of the Slingshot Group, Ritchie Armstrong, said in a statement: "We are heartbroken by the loss of Tyre Sampson and absolutely devastated for his family and loved ones.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Read More on The US Sun
"We have suspended the operations of the Free Fall ride and the Slingshot ride at Icon Park.
"We are fully cooperating with the authorities at the state and local levels who are investigating this tragic incident. We plan on providing additional information in the coming days, as we learn more."
We pay for your stories!
Do you have a story for The US Sun team?
Email us at exclusive@the-sun.com or call 212 416 4552.
Like us on Facebook at and follow us from our main Twitter account at