A 32-year-old man tragically passed away following severe injuries sustained on a popular rollercoaster ride.
Kevin Rodriguez Zavala was discovered unresponsive and slouched in his seat after riding a high-speed rollercoaster at Universal Epic Universe theme park in Orlando, Florida. The ride, named Stardust Racers, reached speeds of up to 62 mph (100 kph). An examination by a medical examiner revealed significant injuries to Zavala, including a deep gash on the left side of his forehead and a fractured bony ridge above his eye.
Additional injuries included bleeding on his skull, bruises on his abdomen and arms, as well as fractures to his nose and right thigh bone. Security footage indicated that Zavala appeared normal at the ride’s onset but was found unresponsive and bleeding from the face at the ride’s conclusion.
Witnesses reported seeing Zavala in distress upon the ride’s return to the boarding platform, with visible injuries and his body positioned awkwardly. Zavala, who used a wheelchair and had previous spinal surgery with metal rods in his back, was accompanied by his girlfriend on the ride.
The medical examiner ruled Zavala’s death as accidental due to blunt-impact injuries. Investigations by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office determined that the theme park staff followed safety protocols properly and were not negligent.
Zavala’s family disputed that his pre-existing spinal condition, described as spinal cord atrophy, was the sole cause of death. They highlighted that Zavala suffered severe facial trauma during the ride and was securely fastened by a lap bar, which took operators ten minutes to release after the ride ended.
According to Cruz-Robles, Zavala’s girlfriend, the lap restraint was adjusted multiple times before the ride, suggesting it was positioned inadequately low. She recounted that Zavala hit his head on the restraint bar during the ride’s initial descent, leading to further head impacts throughout the ride.
Warning signs at the ride entrance cautioned patrons about sudden drops and accelerations, advising against riders with specific physical conditions or recent surgeries. Zavala’s parents disclosed his history of prior injuries that required surgical intervention.
The tragic incident has raised concerns about ride safety protocols and the enforcement of rider restrictions based on health conditions.