Teen Fell To His Death From Drop Ride In Orlando
ORLANDO (CBSMiami/CNN) - A 14-year-old has died after falling from a thrill ride in Orlando.
According to the Orange County Sheriff's Office, they received 911 calls about an emergency at the Orlando FreeFall at ICON Park on International Drive just after 11 p.m. after witnesses reported seeing a person fall from the ride to the ground.
The teenager was taken to the hospital where he died from his injuries.
Video recorded by witnesses showing the deadly fall is circulating on social media.
"Yes (he was secured in the seat). That's what we know at this time. So again, we operate the ride with all the safety precautions in mind and everything is in place and this is why we're doing an investigation," John Stine, sales and marketing director for the Slingshot Group.
The Slingshot Group operates the FreeFall and two other rides in the park. The FreeFall ride has been closed indefinitely.
"Our hearts are broken for that family of the young man. We're going to do everything we can to work with the investigative authorities to get to the matter of this," Stine said.
The Orlando FreeFall at ICON Park opened in Dec. 2021 and takes up to 30 guests high into the air before plummeting 400 feet towards the ground at 70 miles an hour, according to a press release sent last year.
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