Teenager Killed After Falling From Drop Tower Ride at ICON Park in Orlando

By Orlando Personal Injury Attorney on March 25, 2022

Tragedy struck a small Orlando theme park Thursday evening when a 14-year-old boy suffered fatal injuries after he fell several feet from one of the world’s tallest drop tower rides at ICON Park located within the city’s popular tourist district.

According to preliminary incident reports from investigators with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, it was just after 11 p.m. on March 24, 2022, when bystanders flooded the local emergency dispatch system with a barrage of 9-1-1 calls regarding a deadly falling accident at the Orlando Free Fall attraction in ICON Park. Witnesses at the scene indicated that it was business as usual when park-goers boarded the drop tower ride, however, at some point while the attraction was in operation, a 14-year-old teenager seemingly slipped out of his seat and fell to the ground below.

The 14-year-old boy, whose name has not yet been released to the public, sustained severe life-threatening injuries during the accident, was transported by Orange County paramedics to Arnold Palmer Hospital where he sadly passed away shortly after arriving at the medical facility.

A cell phone video featured on multiple national news outlets this morning shows a back-and-forth conversation between a ride attendant and a passenger discussing safety harnesses and seat belts, although it is unclear at this time if the footage is relevant to this specific accident.

The thrill ride, which is owned and operated by the Slingshot Group of Companies, has only been open for approximately three months and stands more than 400 feet tall. It slowly carries its passengers to the peak of the apparatus before tilting riders at a 30-degree angle, rotating them around the tower, and then quickly dropping them back down to the base while reaching speeds of nearly 75 MPH.

“Words can’t say how we feel. Our hearts go out to the family of this young man and that’s all we can say at this time,” stated John Stine, the director of marketing and sales for the company.

This accident is currently under investigation by Orange County authorities.

Since 1977, Orlando wrongful death lawyer James O. Cunningham has been compassionately representing the families of victims who have been killed at amusement parks in Florida. If you would like to schedule a free 30-minute case evaluation, please contact us today at 877-FL-INJURY to speak with an associate.

James O. Cunningham

Since 1977, personal injury lawyer James Cunningham has provided effective legal advocacy to people who are injured through the negligent actions of another person or entity throughout the Central Florida area. He fights to obtain recoveries for his clients’ physical and emotional pain and suffering and pursues his clients’ personal injury cases with a commitment to excellence and impeccable preparation.