Orange County

‘The proper respect’: Father of boy who died on Orlando FreeFall ride calls for permanent memorial

ORLANDO, Fla. — Three months after a teenager on spring break fell to his death from a thrill ride at ICON Park, a protest is set to take place Monday in Orlando.

>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<

The father of 14-year-old Tyre Sampson was at the freefall ride Monday afternoon, standing alongside attorney Ben Crump.

Crump spoke about the autopsy report that was released last week.

WATCH: Protest erupts outside ICON Park after teen’s memorial cleaned

The medical examiner said Sampson was nearly 100 pounds over the ride’s weight limit when he fell 100 feet off, to his death.

“Tyre was too big to have been on the ride. There is no doubt about that,” Crump said. “The weight limit was 286 pounds, but they did not follow their own restrictions.”

The family is suing for wrongful death, coming after everyone involved the function and manufacturing of the ride-except for the teens on the ground working that night.

WATCH: Tyre Sampson’s autopsy shows he was nearly 100 pounds over drop ride’s maximum weight limit

His father, Yarnell Sampson, said it has been an emotional few months as the family has been seeking closure and justice for his son’s death.

“I want a permanent memorial for my son, stating that he passed away,” he said. “Give the proper respect. He didn’t ask to die. He didn’t sign up for that.”

WATCH: Team investigating 14-year-old’s death on free-fall ride speaks out

This comes after an investigation from the state found the ride had been altered to fit larger riders.

Channel 9 will have continuing coverage of Sampson’s news conference on Eyewitness News.

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