The epic universe guest reacts and dies after riding a coaster
Guests in the Orlando Epic Universe were found to not respond after riding the Stardust Racer. According to the resort, he later died in a hospital.
- The Universal Orlando roller coaster is reopened after guests are found to not respond when they board and later die.
- Prosecutors ruled death in an accident caused by “multiple blunt shock injuries.”
- Universal said in its review it found the ride system was working properly and staff followed the procedure.
This story has been updated to include statements from Crump and the Rodriguez Zavala family.
Universal Orlando’s Stardust Racer will resume in epic space on Saturday, October 4th, just over two weeks after the theme park guest died.
32-year-old Kevin Rodriguez Zavala was found to not respond to Stardust Racer’s roller coaster after riding late September 17th.
Irwin shared that a comprehensive technical and operational review confirmed that the ride system was working properly when the ride was returned to the station. They also added that team members followed the procedure throughout.
“Our extensive reviews were conducted in close collaboration with local officials, and Florida observed the tests and reviewed the results,” Irwin said. “In addition, record ride system manufacturers and independent third-party roller coaster engineering experts conducted their own on-site testing to verify the findings.”
Irwin said safety is a top priority and to further assist guests in determining whether or not they can ride the charm, the park is “updating operational procedures and attraction signs to enhance existing rides and physical eligibility requirements for Stardust Racers and other rides.”
This adds that Rodriguez Zavala’s family and lawyer Ben Crump held a press conference claiming he missed “multiple warning signs” ahead of Rodriguez’s death, adding that he is aware of concerns about the safety of the ride.
“The multiple Stardust Racer riders who have advanced to our family and our offices will make us believe that Kevin’s case is not an isolated incident,” Crump said Tuesday, September 30th.
What happened to Kevin Rodriguez Zavala? What caused the death?
Rodriguez, 32, had been visiting a park near Orlando, but after riding it, he found himself unresponsive on a roller coaster. In an incident report shared with USA Today Network-Florida on Friday afternoon, deputies from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office responded to a medical emergency at the theme park around 9:20pm.
Audio shared by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office told the OCSO Communications Center that it was responding to a guest who had a laceration and was “not breathing” (later identified as Rodriguez).
Universal Orlando Health Services and OCFRD were performing CPR at Rodriguez when deputies arrived. OCSO said Rodriguez was taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center where he was declared to have died at 10:05pm.
An Orange County medical inspector told USA Today Thursday evening that “multiple blunt shock injuries” were the cause of death. It is controlled as an accident. A Sheriff’s Office case report said Rodriguez Zabara had an existing spinal injury and was taking medication.
“Previous investigations confirmed that Kevin suffered a head injury while riding and was unconscious for most of the ride,” they confirmed that Rodriguez had a laceration, said last week.
The family said multiple witnesses described the chaotic scene in which Rodriguez collapsed everywhere and blood fell. Many argue that employees appear useless and unprepared to deal with emergencies.
Crump said that he requested Universal to provide video of the incident, but has been denied so far.
Are the Crump and the Rodriguez Zabara family working to resume their rides?
Crump and the Rodriguez Zavala family shared a statement to USA Today Florida on October 3rd.
Stardust Racer is evidence in the investigation of aggressive deaths. Resuming a ride before experts examine all components can be examined to find out that pure spacing of evidence, a serious risk to public safety and benefits people’s lives. Universal reportedly told employees that the ride worked as intended. If that’s accurate, the design itself is fatal. We are demanding that the universal reopening be suspended, preserve all evidence and allow experts to inspect it. If they refuse, we will deal with Universal’s calm behavior in court,” Crump said.
Kevin’s parents, Carlos Rodriguez Ortiz and Anna Zavala, said:
What is a Stardust Racer? Where is the Stardust Racer?
Stardust Racers is a dual-launch racing coaster located in the magnificent space celestial park section. It reaches a speed of 62 mph, rises to 133 feet in the air, and runs along a 5,000-foot track.
The coaster begins with two powerful launches, the other heads towards the end of the ride. The two trucks ski multiple times while riding during the “Celestial Spin.”
How commonly are Stardust Racers closed?
The ride was closed after the incident on September 17th and had not been reopened.
The family of Rodriguez Zavala requested that the attraction be kept closed, investigating what happened and ensuring that the incident would never happen again. It is unclear whether the investigation has been completed.
Universal settles different lawsuits over Stardust Racer injuries
Notice of settlement and notification of voluntary dismissal of bias in relation to defendants were filed on September 26th in a separate lawsuit relating to Stardust Racer, Wesh TV reported.
Sandi Streets filed a negligence lawsuit in Orlando on September 24th, seeking damages in excess of $50,000. The lawsuit alleges that she was injured while riding a Stardust Racer roller coaster.
According to a complaint obtained by USA Today Network-Florida, Streets was invited to the epic universe on April 30, weeks before its official release on May 22. In Stardust Racer, Street’s “head shaking violently and hit the seat headrest while riding” caused permanent injuries.
