Technician says Florida thrill ride operator ignored his safety concerns before teen’s fatal fall
CNNCNN — A maintenance technician alleged on Wednesday that he raised safety issues with the operators of a central Florida amusement ride before a 14-year-old boy fell to his death, but his concerns were never addressed. Austin Campbell-Alexander said in the state whistleblower lawsuit that the Orlando Free Fall ride at Icon Park had sensors which were modified to accommodate people whose height or weight were outside safety limits. Campbell-Alexander also said he and his colleagues weren’t given any training on ride maintenance or patron safety. “He brought these concerns to his manager and the owner of the ride, and basically they didn’t do what they should have done,” Greg Schmitz, one of his attorneys, said in a phone interview. Because of Sampson’s size, the harness didn’t lock properly and he was ejected from his seat when the ride braked, authorities said.
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Technician says Florida thrill ride operator ignored his safety concerns before teen’s fatal fall
Associated Press
Workers dismantle Florida ride where teen fell to death
Associated Press
Teen appeared to fall out of Florida ride halfway in plunge
The Independent
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