Florida ride operator disregarded safety advice given by technician prior to teen's fatal accident
A whistleblower lawsuit, filed by maintenance technician Austin Campbell-Alexander, claims he raised safety concerns for the Orlando Free Fall ride before a tragic accident that took a teen's life. The lawsuit, currently in court, alleges a violation of Florida's Private Sector Whistleblower Act and demands over $50,000[1][2][3].
Campbell-Alexander's allegations involve modified sensors, overheated cylinders, and cracks in the ride's structure, as well as insufficient maintenance and safety training[1][2]. Unfortunately, his claims have been contested by the ride operators, who argue these allegations contradict statements made post-accident[2].
Tyre Sampson, a 14-year-old football standout, tragically fell 70 feet (21 meters) when the modified harness on the ride didn't lock properly[1]. After raising safety concerns, Campbell-Alexander was put on leave and eventually fired, with his lawyers stating this was retaliation for his whistleblowing[1][2].
Following the accident, Campbell-Alexander was requested to falsify maintenance logs, an action he refused. Subsequently, he was put on leave and not allowed to return to the property[1]. After the Sampson family settled with the ride operators and won a $310 million verdict against the Austrian builder, Campbell-Alexander was fired[1].
The lawsuit states Campbell-Alexander is seeking back pay, compensatory damages, and punitive damages, given the emotional trauma from his work experience[1][3]. "It was just extremely traumatic from his perspective, working there," lawyer Greg Schmitz admitted[1]. The high-profile case continues, with the ride operators arguing that Campbell-Alexander's actions may have contributed to the accident[2]. He's standing firm, unafraid to publicize unsafe conditions, even if it means taking on a giant in the amusement park industry[3].
- Technician Austin Campbell-Alexander, a whistleblower in the Orlando Free Fall ride tragedy that claimed the life of rider Tyre Sampson, is seeking back pay, compensatory damages, and punitive damages, as he claims he was fired as retaliation for his whistleblowing regarding modified sensors, overheated cylinders, and cracks in the ride's structure.
- Despite the ride operators' argument that Campbell-Alexander's allegations contradict post-accident statements, he refused to falsify maintenance logs after being requested to do so, and was subsequently put on leave and not allowed to return to the property.
- Campbell-Alexander, a rider safety advocate, continues to speak out about the unsafe conditions he observed, even facing a high-profile court case against the amusement park industry giants, with potential consequences for the accident that took the life of young Tyre Sampson.
