A man in his 30s tragically lost his life after riding a roller coaster at Universal Orlando Resort’s newest park, Epic Universe. The cause of death was determined to be blunt impact injuries, according to Joshua Stephany, the medical examiner for the Orlando area. The autopsy did not reveal specific details about the injuries or their location on the man’s body.
The man was discovered unresponsive after riding the Stardust Racers roller coaster at Epic Universe. He was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was later pronounced dead. The incident has sparked a wave of questions and concerns about the safety of the ride and the park’s protocols.
Dennis Speigel, CEO and founder of International Theme Park Services, expressed shock at the autopsy’s findings. He questioned whether the injuries were caused by the ride or if the man was not properly seated. The medical examiner’s office has not provided further details on the injuries.
The roller coaster in question, Stardust Racers, is described on the resort’s website as a dual-launch coaster that reaches speeds up to 62 mph. Universal officials confirmed the ride’s involvement in the incident and expressed their condolences to the man’s family. The ride has been closed pending an ongoing investigation.
Epic Universe, which opened in May, is the first major traditional theme park to open in Florida since 1999. It features five themed sections and a 500-room hotel. The park’s opening brought the total number of parks at the Florida resort to four, including Universal Studios.
Florida’s largest theme parks, including Universal and Walt Disney World, are exempt from state safety inspections. Instead, they conduct their own inspections and have protocols in place, but are required to report any injuries or deaths to the state. In the second quarter of this year, a dozen reports were made from Disney World, Universal, and SeaWorld Orlando.
Since Epic Universe’s opening, three reports have been made. In May, a 63-year-old man experienced dizziness and an altered state of consciousness, and a 47-year-old woman had a visual disturbance and numbness after riding the Stardust Racers coaster. A 32-year-old man also reported chest pains after riding the Hiccup’s Wing Gliders ride.