>> WES2H NEWS STARTS NOW WITH BREAKING NEWS. JASON: A 14-YEAR-OLD BOY HAS DIED AFTER FALLING FROM THE FREEFALL RIGHT ICON PARK. MERETHDI: IF YOU ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE RIDE, THIS IS WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE. IT IS 400 FEET HIGH AND OPENED UP THIS SEPTEMR.BE JASON: ANIKA HOPE VISIT THERE ALIVE. YOU WERE ABLE TO SPEAK WITH A REPRESENTATIVE. WHAT ARE THEY TELLING YOU? ANA:IK WE SPOKE WITH THE SPOKESPERSON WHOPERA OTES THESE RISDE AND THEY SAY THERE ARE NO RDWOS FOR WHAT HAPPENED TO THE 14 YEAR BOY WHO FELL FROM THE FREE FALL RIDE. HE SAID THEY BELIEVE BOYAS W STRAPPED IN AS PROTOCOL REQUIRES BUT THEY WILL NOW INVESTIGATE. NOW INVESTIGATORS HAVE NOT GIVEN ANY MORE DETAILS YET WHY OR HOW THIS HORRIBLE TRAGEDY COULD HAPPEN. THEY HAVE NOT SAID AT WHAT POINT ON THE RIDE THE BOY FELL OFF. 'W’RE TOLD AFTER THE 14-YEAR-OLD BOY FELL FROM THE RIDE HE NTWE TO ARNOLD PALMER HOSPIL.TA BUT DID NOT SURVIVE. AND THE RIDE HE FELL FROM FALLS NEARLY 400 FEET AT ABOUT 75 MILES PER HOUR AORCCDING TO ICON PARK. >> WE OPERATE THE RIDE WITH ALL THE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS IN MIND. EVERYTHING IS IN PLACE. AND THIS IS WHY WE’RE DOING THIS INVESTIGATION. WE ARE WORKING WITH THOSE PELEOP INVESTIGATING THIATS THIS POINT. ANNIKA SAYS -- JACL:YN --
ICON Park Free Fall: history of the tallest free-standing drop tower
Updated: 9:16 PM EDT Mar 25, 2022
ICON Park's Orlando Free Fall ride is one of the newest additions to the area on International Drive, where it now stands as the tallest drop tower in the world.Free Fall was announced in May 2019 alongside the Orlando Slingshot, both to be operated by the Slingshot Group. Plans for the two rides were delayed due to the pandemic and other factors, with their opening dates pushed back several times until their final opening in December 2021.WESH 2 EXCLUSIVE: Man who filmed teen’s deadly fall from Free Fall describes horrific ICON Park accidentCrews finished construction on Free Fall in October 2021 with a large teardrop on top of the tower. The completed Free Fall tower stands at 430 feet, the tallest of its kind.ICON Park's website says the ride can operate with thirty riders at a time. Once the ride reaches the top, it tilts forward 30 degrees and faces the ground before free falling nearly 400 feet at speeds reaching over 75 mph.RELATED: Deadly ICON Park accident: Investigation into Free Fall reveals ride lacks seatbelts, has unique safety measuresFree Fall was the site of a boy's death late Thursday. Authorities say a 14-year-old boy fell from the Free Fall ride. He was taken to Arnold Palmer Hospital, where he died from his injuries.The ride opened on Dec. 28, 2021.RELATED: Father, coach of teen who fell to death on Orlando's ICON Park ride speak out
ORLANDO, Fla. — ICON Park's Orlando Free Fall ride is one of the newest additions to the area on International Drive, where it now stands as the tallest drop tower in the world.
Free Fall was announced in May 2019 alongside the Orlando Slingshot, both to be operated by the Slingshot Group. Plans for the two rides were delayed due to the pandemic and other factors, with their opening dates pushed back several times until their final opening in December 2021.
WESH 2 EXCLUSIVE: Man who filmed teen’s deadly fall from Free Fall describes horrific ICON Park accident
Crews finished construction on Free Fall in October 2021 with a large teardrop on top of the tower. The completed Free Fall tower stands at 430 feet, the tallest of its kind.
ICON Park's website says the ride can operate with thirty riders at a time. Once the ride reaches the top, it tilts forward 30 degrees and faces the ground before free falling nearly 400 feet at speeds reaching over 75 mph.
RELATED: Deadly ICON Park accident: Investigation into Free Fall reveals ride lacks seatbelts, has unique safety measures
Free Fall was the site of a boy's death late Thursday. Authorities say a 14-year-old boy fell from the Free Fall ride. He was taken to Arnold Palmer Hospital, where he died from his injuries.
The ride opened on Dec. 28, 2021.
RELATED: Father, coach of teen who fell to death on Orlando's ICON Park ride speak out
