KISSIMMEE, Fla. — A man has died following a 30-foot fall from the Sky Trail attraction at the Artegon Marketplace on International Drive in Orlando.
The accident happened about 5 p.m. Wednesday as the victim, Robert Belvoir, 52, was in the ropes course of the attraction, creating a huge police presence at the mall which was packed with shoppers Christmas Eve.
Belvoir was rushed to Dr. Phillips Hospital where he later died from his injuries, police said.
Terrified shoppers inside the Artegon Marketplace screamed in horror as they watched the victim plummet to his death.
“It’s terrible any day, but tomorrow is Christmas,” said witness James Walton.
Investigators said the man was at the highest point of Sky Trail, described as an adventure roped course, when his harness somehow broke loose.
A relative, who was not identified, was with Belvoir and witnessed the fall.
Responding officers roped off the entrance to the mall and shut down the court while firefighters and homicide detectives conducted an inspection.
“I honestly have no idea how it happened,” Walton said.
The mall was closed after the incident and was already going to be closed Thursday for Christmas.
A spokesperson said it would be up to state licensing officials if the attraction resumes normal hours on Friday.