Breaking update: The man who died after being found unresponsive on a ride at Epic Universe has been identified as 32-year-old Kevin Rodriguez Zavala from Kissimmee.The Orange County Medical Examiner said “multiple blunt impact injuries” are the cause of death and it has been ruled an accident. Original story:A guest at Epic Universe died after riding on the Stardust Racers roller coaster on Wednesday, according to Universal officials. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office said that off-duty deputies responded to a “man down” call at the theme park. Once they arrived at the scene, they found a man in his 30s who was unresponsive. The man was then transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Chopper 2 was live on the scene and captured exclusive video of a large law enforcement presence, including crime scene vans and a forensic team taking photos of the ride vehicle in the loading area. Universal Orlando’s app currently indicates that the popular Stardust Racers coaster is closed on Thursday. Statement from Universal spokesperson:”Universal is cooperating with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office following a tragic event involving a guest at Epic Universe on Wednesday night. The guest became unresponsive after riding Stardust Racers and was transported to the hospital, where the guest later died. We are devastated by this event and extend our sincerest sympathies to the guest’s loved ones. We are fully committed to cooperating with this ongoing investigation. The attraction remains closed.Stardust RacersThis racing coaster reaches speeds of up to 62 miles per hour and heights of 133 feet along a 5,000-foot track. The ride features two sides racing each other on green and yellow tracks, with an inverted criss-cross maneuver called the Celestial Spin.Before opening, the ride underwent extensive testing, requiring 80 consecutive hours of flawless operation. Universal Orlando’s safety guidelines warn that the coaster includes sudden and dramatic acceleration, climbing, tilting, inversion and dropping. Riders must be at least four feet tall, and those with blood pressure issues, heart conditions, back or neck problems, sensitivity to strobe lights, motion, or fog, as well as expectant mothers or individuals who have recently undergone surgery, are advised not to ride.Additionally, the park requires guests to store loose items in a locker and pass through a metal detector before boarding the coaster.Cause of deathGuests reactWhat safety measures are taken before a ride can open to the public? The IAAPA says Florida regulations require rides to be designed, tested and operated according to ASTM F24 global safety standards.The design standard includes requirements for technical areas of the ride. Criteria are detailed for risk assessment, hazard mitigation, rider restraint and dimensions, biomechanical considerations including acceleration limits, mechanical loads, electrical, operating conditions, fencing, handrails, gates, walkways, signage and many other areas.Testing requires running the rides under normal operating conditions for a certain period of time. Testing would include loading and unloading of the rides, normal operation of the ride, and all the systems associated with the ride, IAAPA said. The IAAPA is the Global Association for the Attractions Industry About Epic UniverseUniversal’s Epic Universe is Central Florida’s newest theme park, officially opening its doors to the public on May 22, 2025.Epic Universe is Universal Orlando Resort’s fourth theme park. The park features 11 different rides and five different immersive worlds. >> More Parks Central coverage
Breaking update: The man who died after being found unresponsive on a ride at Epic Universe has been identified as 32-year-old Kevin Rodriguez Zavala from Kissimmee.
The Orange County Medical Examiner said “multiple blunt impact injuries” are the cause of death and it has been ruled an accident.
Original story:
A guest at Epic Universe died after riding on the Stardust Racers roller coaster on Wednesday, according to Universal officials.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office said that off-duty deputies responded to a “man down” call at the theme park.
Once they arrived at the scene, they found a man in his 30s who was unresponsive. The man was then transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Chopper 2 was live on the scene and captured exclusive video of a large law enforcement presence, including crime scene vans and a forensic team taking photos of the ride vehicle in the loading area.
Universal Orlando’s app currently indicates that the popular Stardust Racers coaster is closed on Thursday.
Statement from Universal spokesperson:
“Universal is cooperating with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office following a tragic event involving a guest at Epic Universe on Wednesday night. The guest became unresponsive after riding Stardust Racers and was transported to the hospital, where the guest later died. We are devastated by this event and extend our sincerest sympathies to the guest’s loved ones. We are fully committed to cooperating with this ongoing investigation. The attraction remains closed.
Stardust Racers
This racing coaster reaches speeds of up to 62 miles per hour and heights of 133 feet along a 5,000-foot track.
The ride features two sides racing each other on green and yellow tracks, with an inverted criss-cross maneuver called the Celestial Spin.
Before opening, the ride underwent extensive testing, requiring 80 consecutive hours of flawless operation.
Universal Orlando’s safety guidelines warn that the coaster includes sudden and dramatic acceleration, climbing, tilting, inversion and dropping.
Riders must be at least four feet tall, and those with blood pressure issues, heart conditions, back or neck problems, sensitivity to strobe lights, motion, or fog, as well as expectant mothers or individuals who have recently undergone surgery, are advised not to ride.
Additionally, the park requires guests to store loose items in a locker and pass through a metal detector before boarding the coaster.
Cause of death
Guests react
What safety measures are taken before a ride can open to the public?
The IAAPA says Florida regulations require rides to be designed, tested and operated according to ASTM F24 global safety standards.
The design standard includes requirements for technical areas of the ride. Criteria are detailed for risk assessment, hazard mitigation, rider restraint and dimensions, biomechanical considerations including acceleration limits, mechanical loads, electrical, operating conditions, fencing, handrails, gates, walkways, signage and many other areas.
Testing requires running the rides under normal operating conditions for a certain period of time. Testing would include loading and unloading of the rides, normal operation of the ride, and all the systems associated with the ride, IAAPA said.
The IAAPA is the Global Association for the Attractions Industry
About Epic Universe
Universal’s Epic Universe is Central Florida’s newest theme park, officially opening its doors to the public on May 22, 2025.
Epic Universe is Universal Orlando Resort’s fourth theme park.
The park features 11 different rides and five different immersive worlds.
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