A maintenance technician has raised serious concerns about safety issues related to the Orlando Free Fall ride at Icon Park, just days after a tragic incident where a 14-year-old boy fell to his death. Austin Campbell-Alexander claims he alerted ride operators about problems, but his warnings were ignored.
In a whistleblower lawsuit, Campbell-Alexander alleges that the ride’s safety sensors were altered to allow riders who exceeded height or weight limits to participate. He also mentioned that overheated cylinders could prevent the seats from securing properly and that there were cracks in the ride’s metal structure. Furthermore, he stated that he and his colleagues had received no training on how to maintain the ride or ensure the safety of its patrons.
Greg Schmitz, one of Campbell-Alexander’s attorneys, noted that the technician reported these safety concerns to both his manager and the ride’s owner, but no action was taken. In contrast, Trevor Arnold, an attorney for the ride operators, claims that Campbell-Alexander’s statements conflict with what he said after the accident. Arnold stated that Campbell-Alexander was suspended after it was discovered he adjusted the safety sensors, which allegedly led to the fatal incident.
The tragedy occurred on March 24, 2022, when Tyre Sampson, a 14-year-old boy visiting from St. Louis, fell 70 feet from the ride. Standing at 6 feet 2 inches and weighing 380 pounds, he was inadequately secured in his seat due to his size. When the ride braked, he was ejected from the harness.
Campbell-Alexander was not present during the accident but has since experienced anxiety and depression. He reported being asked to falsify maintenance logs after Sampson’s death, indicating that safety checks had been performed in the weeks leading up to the incident. When he refused, he was placed on paid administrative leave for a year and barred from returning to the park.
After Sampson’s family reached a settlement with the ride’s operators, Campbell-Alexander was terminated from his job. His attorneys argue that this was retaliation for his safety concerns. Sampson’s family previously won a $310 million verdict against the ride’s Austrian manufacturer.
In his lawsuit filed in Orlando, Campbell-Alexander is seeking more than $50,000 in damages, including back pay and compensation for the emotional distress he has suffered. Schmitz emphasized the trauma Campbell-Alexander experienced while working at the park.
This incident has raised significant questions about ride safety and the responsibilities of amusement park operators to ensure the well-being of their patrons.