Man Dies from Blunt Force Injuries on Epic Universe Coaster Ride at Florida Amusement Park
Epic Universe coaster death: According to a medical examiner’s report on Thursday, a man died from blunt impact injuries after becoming unconscious after riding a roller coaster at the newest park at Universal Orlando Resort.
After conducting an autopsy, Orlando-area medical examiner Joshua Stephany declared the death to be an accident. Stephany’s statement omitted any information on the injuries, including their location on the body.
According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office in Orlando, the guy in his 30s was discovered unconscious after his ride on the coaster at Epic Universe on Wednesday. After being brought to a hospital, he was declared deceased.
The CEO and creator of International Theme Park Services, Dennis Speigel, described the autopsy’s findings as “pretty shocking” and said they left more questions than they resolved.
Injury Details Unclear: Was It Chest or Head Trauma? Questions Raised About Incident During Ride
Was the chest or the head involved? Was he making noise? Was he seated correctly? “Speigel said.” “Did he do something or was it an accident brought on by the ride?” An email asking for further information about the injuries was not answered by the medical examiner’s office.
According to a statement from Universal, the roller coaster in question was Stardust Racers. “A breathtaking, dual-launch coaster reaching incredible speeds up to 62 mph (100 kph)” is how the resort’s website describes it.
Universal Orlando Saddened by Tragic Incident; Attraction Closed Pending Investigation
In a statement, a Universal Orlando Resorts representative said, “We are heartbroken by this tragic incident and offer our deepest sympathies to the guest’s loved ones.” “Orange County and the current inquiry have our complete cooperation. The attraction is still closed. Universal stated that due to the continuing investigation, it was unable to comment more after the autopsy was made public.
In May, Universal inaugurated the park. It contains a hotel with 500 rooms and five themed areas.
Although Universal developed a themed water park in Orlando called Volcano Bay in 2017, this is the first large, conventional theme park to open in Florida since 1999, when Universal Islands of Adventure made its debut.
Universal and Disney Conduct Independent Safety Checks, Not State-Inspected
With the advent of Epic Universe, the Florida resort now has four parks in total, including Universal Studios. State safety inspections do not apply to Florida’s major theme parks, unlike smaller events and fairs. Rather, the biggest theme parks, such as Universal and Walt Disney World, have their own procedures and inspections, although they are required to notify the state of any fatalities or injuries.
There were twelve reports from SeaWorld Orlando, Universal, and Disney World in the second quarter of this year. These included an 87-year-old lady with a previous ailment losing consciousness after riding the Dinosaur ride at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and a 78-year-old woman falling unconscious on a kid-friendly carousel at SeaWorld.
Three reports have surfaced since Epic Universe began in May. After riding the Stardust Racers coaster in May, a 47-year-old lady with a prior ailment suffered a “visual disturbance” and numbness, while a 63-year-old male with a preexisting condition experienced dizziness and “an altered state of consciousness.” After riding the Hiccup’s Wing Gliders, a 32-year-old male reported experiencing chest problems, according to the Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services.