Man dies after becoming unresponsive on roller coaster at Orlando’s Epic Universe theme park

A 32-year-old man died at the new Universal theme park in Orlando after becoming unresponsive following a ride on a roller coaster on the night of Sept 17, the authorities said on Sept 18.

Mr Kevin Rodriguez Zavala was taken to hospital and pronounced dead there, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. It did not disclose a cause for his death.

He had taken a ride at Epic Universe on the Stardust Racers, the longest roller coaster Universal has built.

Epic Universe opened four months ago, the first major new theme park to open in Central Florida in 26 years.

The coaster, which has duelling trains that drop and spiral in a tight space, reaches 100kmh and aims to make passengers feel as if they are riding a comet.

The park was open on Sept 18, but the Stardust Racers coaster remained closed.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office said on the morning of Sept 18 that it had begun an investigation into the death of the rider. Universal said it was fully cooperating with the inquiry.

“We are devastated by this event and extend our sincerest sympathies to the guest’s loved ones,” Universal said in a statement.

Stardust Racers has quickly become a main attraction at the US$7 billion (S$9 billion) theme park, which includes five themed sections and a 500-room hotel.

The coaster reaches as high as 40.5m while travelling along 1.5km of track. The twin tracks are an unusual roller coaster feature, taking riders on distinct journeys while intertwining with one another along the way.

Universal describes the duelling trains as racing “along an inverted crisscross, known as the ‘Celestial Spin’ in a dazzling display of blazing colours and ethereal music”. NYTIMES