A man has died after riding the Stardust Racers roller coaster at Universal Epic Universe. Authorities identified the deceased as 32-year-old Kevin Rodriguez Zavala. The incident occurred on Wednesday, with officials later confirming the cause of death as "multiple blunt impact injuries."
Key Takeaways
- Kevin Rodriguez Zavala, 32, died after riding Stardust Racers.
- The cause of death was determined to be "multiple blunt impact injuries."
- The incident is classified as an accident.
- Zavala reportedly had a pre-existing spinal condition.
- Universal Epic Universe is cooperating with law enforcement and has closed the attraction.
Incident Details at Epic Universe
Off-duty deputies responded to a call at Universal Epic Universe on Wednesday. They found a man unresponsive after he had ridden a roller coaster. Emergency services transported him to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The Orange County Sheriff's Office provided these details. The chief medical examiner for Orange and Osceola counties, Joshua Stephany, later identified the victim as Kevin Rodriguez Zavala. His statement confirmed the cause of death as multiple blunt impact injuries, ruling the manner of death an accident.
Fact: No 911 Calls Recorded
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office stated that no 911 calls were received regarding the incident. This is because park rules prohibit riders from carrying cell phones onto the ride platform.
Investigation and Background Information
Universal Orlando Resort issued a statement confirming its cooperation with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. The resort expressed its sadness regarding the event and extended condolences to the guest's family.
"Universal is cooperating with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office following a tragic event involving a guest at Epic Universe on Wednesday night," Universal Orlando Resort stated. "We are devastated by this event and extend our sincerest sympathies to the guest's loved ones."
The Stardust Racers attraction remained closed after the incident. On Friday, observers noted that the ride's trains appeared to have been removed from the tracks. Park team members stood at the entrance, and signs indicated the ride was not operating.
Pre-existing Medical Condition
A police report included information from Zavala’s girlfriend of 10 years. She informed police that he had a pre-existing spinal condition. He was also on medication at the time of the incident, though the report redacted the specific medication name.
Context: Ride Safety and Medical Conditions
Deaths on theme park rides are uncommon. When they do occur, they are often linked to pre-existing medical conditions of the riders. Theme parks typically advise guests with certain health issues to avoid specific attractions.
- In August, a man at Hong Kong Disneyland lost consciousness on a new attraction due to a pre-existing medical condition.
- A 9-year-old child died at Hersheypark in Pennsylvania after experiencing distress in a water park area.
Details of Stardust Racers Roller Coaster
Stardust Racers is a significant attraction at Universal Epic Universe. It is a dual-tracked, multi-launch steel roller coaster. The ride features two side-by-side tracks where trains race against each other.
The roller coaster includes two launch sequences. One of these launches propels trains to speeds of 62 miles per hour. The ride also reaches a maximum height of 133 feet.
Ride Manufacturer and Park Expansion
The Stardust Racers roller coaster was manufactured by Mack Rides. This German company has a history of working with Universal. Their previous projects include the Flight of the Hippogriff roller coasters at Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Studios Beijing.
Mack Rides also developed Space Fantasy — The Ride at Universal Studios Japan and Epic Universe's Curse of the Werewolf coaster. They have contributed to other Universal attractions worldwide.
Universal Epic Universe opened its doors in May. It is the third major theme park at the Universal Orlando Resort in Florida. The resort also includes Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, and the Volcano Bay water park.
The new park features themed lands based on popular franchises. These include How to Train Your Dragon, Harry Potter, Super Nintendo characters, and classic Universal monsters such as Bride of Frankenstein and Dracula.
