A Sad Day at Epic Universe: What Happened on the Stardust Racers?

A man in his 30s passed away after riding the Stardust Racers roller coaster at Universal Orlando Resort's newest park, Epic Universe.

Cause of Death

The medical examiner's report stated that the cause of death was blunt impact injuries, but it did not provide specific details about the injuries or where they occurred on the body. The man was found unresponsive after the ride and was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

About the Ride

The Stardust Racers roller coaster is described as a high-speed, dual-launch coaster that reaches speeds of up to 62 mph. Universal Orlando Resort has expressed their condolences to the man's family and is cooperating with the ongoing investigation. The attraction has been closed since the incident.

Questions Raised

The incident has raised questions about the safety of the ride and the park. Dennis Speigel, CEO of International Theme Park Services, described the autopsy's conclusion as "pretty shocking" and said that it raised more questions than it answered. He wondered if the man was properly secured in his seat or if he was injured due to the ride's design.

About Epic Universe

Epic Universe opened in May and is the first major theme park to open in Florida since 1999. It has five themed sections and a 500-room hotel. The park is owned by Universal Orlando Resort, which also owns Universal Studios and Volcano Bay water park.

Safety Regulations

Florida's largest theme parks, including Universal Orlando Resort and Walt Disney World, are exempt from state safety inspections. Instead, they conduct their own inspections and must report any injuries or deaths to the state. In the second quarter of this year, there were a dozen reports from Disney World, Universal, and SeaWorld Orlando. Since Epic Universe opened in May, there have been three reports made, including the incident on the Stardust Racers roller coaster.