What Happened?
A 14-year-old boy died at Icon Park in Orlando, Florida after he fell off the StarFlyer ride. The incident happened on Monday, August 30, 2021. The ride is a swing attraction that takes riders up to 450 feet in the air and spins them around at speeds of up to 45 miles per hour.
According to witnesses, the boy was riding the attraction with his 13-year-old brother when he managed to free himself from his seatbelt and harness. He fell from the ride and hit a platform below. Witnesses reported that the boy was unresponsive when he hit the platform.
Twitter Video Goes Viral
A video of the incident was posted on Twitter and quickly went viral. The video shows the boy falling from the ride and hitting the platform below. The video has since been removed from Twitter, but it has been shared on other social media platforms.
Many people are outraged that someone would post such a video online, especially since it shows a tragic event. The video has been criticized for being insensitive and disrespectful to the boy’s family.
Investigation Launched
An investigation has been launched into the incident. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, which oversees amusement park rides, is leading the investigation. The agency said in a statement that it is “fully committed to conducting a complete and thorough investigation to determine the cause of the accident.”
The StarFlyer ride has been closed while the investigation is ongoing. Icon Park released a statement saying that it is “deeply saddened by this tragic accident” and that it is cooperating with the investigation.
Previous Incidents at Icon Park
This is not the first incident to occur at Icon Park. In 2019, a guest was injured on the StarFlyer ride when a piece of metal fell off the attraction and hit the guest in the face. The guest suffered a cut to the face and was taken to the hospital.
In 2020, another guest was injured on the StarFlyer ride when they were hit by a loose bolt. The guest suffered a minor injury to the leg.
Icon Park’s Response
Icon Park has faced criticism for its response to the incident. Some people have accused the park of not doing enough to prevent accidents from happening.
In a statement, Icon Park said that it takes “guest safety very seriously” and that it is “committed to providing safe, fun experiences for all who visit.” The park also said that it is “reviewing all of its safety procedures and protocols” in light of the incident.
Conclusion
The death of the 14-year-old boy at Icon Park is a tragic event that has shocked many people. The incident has sparked a conversation about the safety of amusement park rides and the responsibility of park owners to ensure the safety of their guests.
It is important for parks to take safety seriously and to do everything they can to prevent accidents from happening. The investigation into the incident at Icon Park will hopefully shed light on what went wrong and what can be done to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.
