The Orange County Sheriff’s Office said Tyre Sampson’s mother told detectives she doesn’t know who Shay Johnson is. And lawyers representing the family told outlet Channel 9 that none of Sampson’s family members know Johnson.
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Missouri teen Tyre Sampson was told he couldn’t enter two rides at a Florida amusement park last week before he fell to his death from a free-fall ride, according to family members.
“He said, ‘They said I’m too big. I can’t ride,’” Johnson recalled to the news outlet. The boy’s father, Yarnell Sampson, told CNN Tyre was 6'5” tall and weighed 340 pounds.
Later, Sampson called Johnson and said he finally found a ride that he could enter.
“I didn’t know it would be my last time talking to him alive,” Johnson said. “He just wanted to ride and have a good time.”
Police said they believe the teen’s death was an accident, although his family and witnesses have since raised concerns. Sampson’s family has since hired attorneys, including high-profile lawyer Ben Crump.
The Epoch Times has contacted ICON Park for comment.
“As the landlord of the 20-acre entertainment destination in the center of the Orlando Entertainment District, ICON Park’s mission is to provide safe, family entertainment,” ICON Park wrote in a statement on Monday, adding that they will “fully cooperate” with law enforcement.
“We continue to grieve the passing of Tyre Sampson and our thoughts are with his family and friends,” the park wrote. “This was the saddest day in the history of ICON Park and we’re working hard to make sure this never happens again.”
And the SlingShot Group, which operates the FreeFall, said that “we extend our condolences and deepest sympathy to his family and friends.”
John Stine, a spokesman for the Slingshot Group, told CBS News that the FreeFAll ride can only operate if the riders are locked into their seats.
“It’s very difficult to say” what went wrong, he told the broadcaster. “The way the ride is designed, with all the safety features and redundancy, there shouldn’t be an issue.”
