ORLANDO, Fla. — ORLANDO, Fla. — A 14-year-old died in Orlando on Thursday night after he fell from an amusement park ride, according to WFTV-TV in Orlando, NBC News and CNN.
The Orange County Sheriff's Office told media outlets that the teenager fell from the Orlando Free Fall ride at ICON Park. Officials said the teenager was taken to a local hospital after the fall, where he died from his injuries.
Officials have identified the victim as Tyree Samson, a teenager that was visiting the park with his family from Missouri.
In a press conference on Friday, Orange County Sheriff John Mina said the death appeared to be the result of a "terrible tragedy."
"Words can't say how we feel," John Stine, director of sales and marketing for the Slingshot Group of Companies, told NBC News. "Our hearts go out to the family of this young man and that's all we can say at this time."
"Free Fall" stands 430 feet tall and is the world's tallest free-standing drop tower, according to a press release from ICON Park. WFTV reports that the ride opened in January.
Officials added that the attraction does include a "large locking device" that straps riders in over their shoulders.
This story was originally published by Emily McCain on Scripps station WFTS in Tampa, Florida.
