Was Teen Tyre Sampson Who Died at Florida Amusement Park Too Heavy for Ride?

Tyre Sampson, the gentle giant who plunged to his death at an amusement park in Orlando, Florida, stood at 6 foot 5, and weighed over 300 pounds. The 14-year-old had reportedly been turned away from at least two other rides at the park because of his size. The accident happened at ICON Park, where the 430-foot FreeFall ride is a popular attraction. In Europe, the maximum passenger weight on the ride is 287 pounds; in the US, there is no maximum weight restriction.