UPDATE: The man who died following a roller coaster ride at Universal’s Epic Universe amusement park in Orlando had suffered multiple blunt impact injuries, according to Orlando medical examiner Joshua Stephany.
Stephany ruled the death of Kevin Rodriguez Zavala, 32, of Kissimmee, Florida, an accident after performing an autopsy. No additional details on the death were disclosed. Local Orlando news outlets report that Orange County (Florida) fire officials have indicated that Zavala hadn’t fallen from the roller coaster.
In a statement obtained by Deadline, Stephany said that Zavala “was found unresponsive on the Stardust Racers roller coaster at Universal Epic Universe and transported to the hospital. The cause of death is multiple blunt impact injuries. The manner of death is accident.”
Zavala, who used a wheelchair, was taken to a hospital Wednesday evening after being found unresponsive following the ride on the Stardust Racers coaster. A GoFundMe page set up by Zavala’s family states, “It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of our beloved brother, son, uncle, and friend, Kevin Rodriguez Zavala, who tragically lost his life in an unexpected accident.”
PREVIOUS, Sept. 18: A man said to be in his 30s died last night after becoming unresponsive following a ride on a roller coaster at Universal’s recently opened Epic Universe amusement park in Orlando, Florida.
The man, identified by Florida’s Orange County Sheriff’s Office as Kevin Rodriguez Zavala, was found unresponsive after riding the Stardust Racers roller coaster. He was transported to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The “dual-launch,” two-train coaster at the Epic Universe, the $7 billion amusement park which opened in May, reaches a height of 133 feet and speeds of 62 miles per hour, according to the park’s website.
Universal is cooperating with the sheriff’s office investigation into the death. In a statement to press, Universal said, “We are devastated by this event and extend our sincerest sympathies to the guest’s loved ones.”
Epic Universe – the first major theme park to open in the United States in more than two decades – includes more than 50 attractions at five of what park officials call “immersive worlds”: Celestial Park (where Stardust Racers is located); The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic; Super Nintendo World; and How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk and Dark Universe.
While Epic Universe was open today, the Stardust Racers attraction was closed.
Last month, NBC aired a special about the new park called Inside the Worlds of Epic Universe, and in a Universal Orlando Resort YouTube video Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers ride the Stardust Racers:
