A man who used to work as a maintenance technician for the now-closed FreeFall ride at Orlando’s ICON Park is alleging that safety issues with the ride were ignored in the weeks before a teen fell to his death in March 2022.

In a lawsuit filed on Wednesday, former technician Austin Campbell-Alexander said he noticed “safety issues with the seats and overall structural integrity” of the FreeFall Drop Tower sometime around January 2022 – a couple of months before 14-year-old Tyre Sampson died from falling off the ride.

The lawsuit is filed against Orlando Eagle Drop Slingshot, the owner and operator of the ride, and other affiliated companies, not ICON Park.

During an investigation after Sampson’s death, Campbell-Alexander said that he was asked to “back-fill blank maintenance logs and sign off on certain maintenance tasks” as if he and a coworker had performed them.

The FreeFall ride was inspected before it was completely dismantled. (Mom & Paparazzi for Fox News Digital)

He said he objected to “fraudulently affirm” that he performed certain tasks, which resulted in him being placed on paid leave and booted from the premises. He said he remained on leave while the defendants attempted to resolve a civil lawsuit with Sampson’s family, and once that was settled, he was fired on March 31, 2023.

The law firm representing Orlando Eagle Drop Slingshot sent a statement on Campbell-Alexander’s lawsuit to FOX 35, alleging that the former tech was the one who adjusted sensors on the ride, which resulted in his firing.

“Our clients promptly investigated the tragic accident that resulted in the death of Tyre Sampson. Upon discovering that Mr. Campbell-Alexander adjusted the sensors that resulted in the accident, he was suspended and relieved of any further involvement or access to any rides,” Trevor Arnold and Brian Bieber, GrayRobinson, PA said. 

“Upon learning of Mr. Campbell-Alexander’s and other employees’ conduct, we proactively notified investigating authorities.  At all times, we cooperated with the investigators. We worked diligently to resolve the litigation and claims with Tyre’s family as well as the administrative agencies involved. Mr. Campbell-Alexander’s claims are in direct conflict with statements he provided following the accident, which will no doubt be demonstrated in Court.”