Incident at Universal Orlando Resort
ORLANDO, Fla. – A man in his 30s has died due to blunt force injuries following a ride on a roller coaster at Universal Orlando Resort’s new park.
An autopsy, conducted by Joshua Stephanie, declared the death accidental, but specifics about the injuries weren’t detailed in his statement.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office found the man unresponsive after he rode the Stardust Racer coaster on Wednesday. He was subsequently taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Dennis Speigel, CEO of International Theme Park Services, expressed shock over the autopsy findings, noting it left many unanswered questions. “Was he secure in his seat? Did something happen during the ride?” Speigel pondered, questioning whether the cause was linked to the ride or perhaps an underlying issue.
Details surrounding the injury itself haven’t been clarified despite attempts to seek further information from the examination room.
The roller coaster in question, according to Universal officials, is the Stardust Racer, dubbed as a thrilling dual-launch coaster that reaches speeds of up to 62 miles per hour.
In a statement, a Universal spokesperson expressed heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased and indicated that they are cooperating with ongoing investigations. The attraction will remain closed for now.
After the autopsy results were shared, Universal mentioned they couldn’t comment on specifics due to the investigation.
The new park was inaugurated in May, featuring five themed sections and over 500 hotel rooms. It marks a significant addition as it’s the first major traditional theme park to open in Florida since the Universal Islands in 1999, although Universal also debuted a water park in 2017.
With the opening of this new attraction, Universal now boasts four parks in Florida, alongside Universal Studios.
Notably, Florida’s largest theme parks, like Universal and Walt Disney World are exempt from state safety inspections. They conduct their own safety measures but are still required to report any incidents or fatalities to state authorities.
Recent reports indicated various incidents within the parks, highlighting safety concerns. For instance, there were cases involving an elderly woman at SeaWorld and another at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, both with prior health conditions.
Since the launch of the new park in May, three reports have emerged about health incidents, including cases involving dizziness and visual impairment related to the Stardust Racer.
Overall, it’s been a troubling situation, raising considerable concern regarding safety protocols and the well-being of guests at these attractions.
