ORLANDO, Fla. — A 32-year-old man died Wednesday night after becoming unresponsive while riding the Stardust Racers roller coaster at Universal’s newly opened Epic Universe theme park.

The Incident

The man, identified as Kevin Zavala, was riding the high-speed coaster when he became unresponsive mid-ride, according to a statement from Universal Orlando Resorts. Ride operators initiated emergency response protocols as soon as the coaster stopped. Zavala was transferred to a hospital but was pronounced dead shortly after 10 p.m.

Universal expressed condolences in a statement:

“We are devastated by this event and extend our sincerest sympathies to the guest’s loved ones. We are fully committed to cooperating with this ongoing investigation.”

Cause of Death

A report from the Orange County Medical Examiner’s Office concluded that Zavala died from multiple blunt impact injuries. His death was ruled accidental, though the report did not specify which parts of the body sustained trauma.

According to an incident report released Friday, Zavala’s longtime girlfriend told investigators he had a preexisting spinal injury. Authorities have not yet confirmed whether that condition played a role in his death.

Witness Accounts and Emergency Response

Orange County Sheriff’s deputies arrived at the scene around 9:20 p.m. to find paramedics performing CPR on the ride platform. Radio calls captured the urgency of the situation, with one officer noting, “I’m being advised it’s not looking good.”

A bystander, Tommy Italiano, described the chaos to local media:

“It turned into full pandemonium. There were families yelling, screaming, crying, because they had been separated from their family members and had no way to contact them.”

Ride Closure and Safety Record

As a precaution, Universal has closed Stardust Racers while the Orange County Sheriff’s Office continues its investigation. The roller coaster, which opened in May as part of the much-anticipated Epic Universe park, is one of its signature attractions, reaching speeds of 62 mph and heights of 133 feet.

Since opening, the ride has logged two minor medical incidents involving guests with preexisting conditions, according to a July safety report filed with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. On June 22, a 63-year-old man reported dizziness; two days later, a 47-year-old woman experienced vision disturbances and numbness. Both individuals recovered.

Broader Context

Theme park ride-related deaths are rare but draw intense scrutiny when they occur. Florida law requires operators to report any serious injuries or illnesses that result in hospitalization, and rides under investigation are typically shut down until cleared by state regulators.

Universal officials said the company is cooperating fully with both local investigators and state safety authorities.