A tragic incident has occurred at Universal Epic Universe in Orlando: Kevin Rodriguez Zavala, 32, of Kissimmee died Wednesday after riding the Stardust Racers roller coaster. According to the Orange County medical examiner, he suffered multiple blunt force injuries that led to his death. The attraction remains closed while authorities investigate the accident.
The Incident
The Orange County Sheriff's Office reported that the man was unresponsive after the ride and was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Witnesses described how Zavala sat motionless in the car as the train returned to the station. Staff urged guests to exit, and a doctor among the passengers provided first aid, but all measures came too late.
Reaction from Universal Orlando
Universal Orlando expressed deep sorrow over the incident and offered sincere condolences to the family. “Universal is cooperating with the Orange County Sheriff's Office following a tragic incident involving a guest at Epic Universe on Wednesday evening,” a spokesperson for Universal Orlando said in a statement released to the media. “We are deeply affected by this incident and extend our sincerest condolences to the guest's family. We are fully committed to assisting in this ongoing investigation.”
Investigation and Context
The case is classified as an accident, with the exact cause of the blunt force injuries still to be determined. The new theme park Epic Universe opened in May in Florida, and this death has overshadowed operations. Investigators are checking whether technical issues or health factors played a role. Roller coasters of this type place significant stress on the body, which is why people with pre-existing conditions are explicitly warned, although it is unclear whether this applied to Zavala.
Details on the Roller Coaster
Stardust Racers, a launched racing roller coaster by Mack Rides in the Celestial Park themed area, reaches a top speed of 62 mph and offers inversions on each side, as well as ejector airtime. The track, over 1.5 kilometers long, allows two trains to start simultaneously and reach up to 100 kilometers per hour. The attraction has received nearly unanimous praise from roller coaster fans and is considered the centerpiece of the park. Universal checks passengers with metal detectors for loose items before they board.
