The president of Universal Orlando Resort, Karen Irwin, has issued a letter to employees confirming that the Stardust Racers roller coaster at Epic Universe was fully operational and all equipment was intact during a tragic incident that resulted in the death of a guest last week, as ClickOrlando reported. The guest, 32-year-old Kevin Zavala, was found unresponsive after riding the attraction and was later declared dead, with the medical examiner ruling his cause of death as "multiple blunt impact injuries."
According to WFTV, Zavala had a pre-existing spinal injury, and it is yet unclear if that was a contributing factor to the accident; the park’s safety guide lists that the ride is not suitable for guests with back or similar physical conditions, Zavala's condition raises questions about the adherence to safety guidelines as the ride reportedly offers wheelchair accessibility with the requisite assistance devices. Despite the incident, Ikwin assured staff members that the attraction successfully passed internal reviews, confirming the ride's equipment was functioning as intended before and after the formulation of the tragedy.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office is actively investigating the circumstances surrounding Zavala's death, who was receiving CPR from Universal Orlando Health Services by the ride’s platform by the time deputies had arrived on scene, news that has staggered a community and brought attention to the ride that towers 133 feet and stands as a prominent feature in a park celebrated for its five themed sections and a 500-room hotel. In the meantime, a GoFundMe page has been set up to honor Zavala.
As a result of the incident, Stardust Racers stands closed, while a thorough review is being conducted in coordination with the ride's manufacturer.
