Original Article: According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, a 14-year-old fell to his death while riding ICON Park’s Orlando Free Fall (drop tower) attraction.
Multiple law enforcement officers, firefighters and paramedics responded to ICON Park late Thursday evening after a 911 caller reported the incident at the tourist attraction on International Drive.
Witnesses told deputies that someone had fallen off the Orlando Free Fall ride. The Orange County Sheriff’s later confirmed the 14-year-old boy was transported to hospital, where he sadly died from his injuries.
Orlando Free Fall stands at 430 feet, “making it the world’s tallest free-standing drop tower,” according to a ICON Park press release.
The attraction’s ride vehicle rotates around a central the as it rises. After it reaches the top, riders are tilt forward and face the ground briefly before free-falling almost 400 feet at approximately 75 miles per hour.
The Orlando Free Fall is adjacent to the Orlando Slingshot. Both attractions, which opened back in December are owned and operated by the Slingshot Group of Companies, according to a ICON Park press release.
The Sheriff’s Office has said the investigation into this death is in its very early stages. Stay tuned for further updates.
Update: More tweets regarding the incident can be found below:
Stay tuned to Orlando Theme Park Zone for more Orlando theme park-related news and information.
