Dollywood closes thrill ride similar to one involved in Florida tragedy

Pigeon Forge, Tenn. — Dollywood amusement park in Tennessee said Sunday it has temporarily closed a ride developed by the same maker of a free-fall ride from which a teen dropped to his death at a Florida attraction.

Dollywood told The Associated Press it was saddened to hear about the death of Tyre Sampson, 14, who authorities said fell out of a towering amusement ride called Orlando FreeFall at Icon Park in Orlando on Thursday.

As it waits for more details to be known about the Florida death, Dollywood has temporarily closed its Drop Line ride "out of an abundance of caution," the Pigeon Forge amusement park said in an emailed statement.