A tragic incident has been reported at one of the newest theme parks in the world. A man in his 30s died Wednesday after riding a roller coaster at Epic Universe in Orlando, Florida, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.
The guest, who has not yet been publicly identified, was found unresponsive after the ride and later pronounced dead. Deputies confirmed the death but released no additional details about the man’s health or what may have caused the medical emergency.
It is still unclear what happened in the moments after the coaster pulled back into the station. The cause of death remains unknown, and investigators say it is too early to determine if the ride played any role.
Universal Studios opened Epic Universe in May, just months ago, with five themed areas, a massive hotel, and what park executives called a new era of attractions. The coaster where the tragedy occurred — Stardust Racers — is part of Celestial Park, the centerpiece of the resort. The ride launches guests up to 62 miles per hour, with Universal comparing the experience to “riding a shooting star across the cosmos.”
As of Thursday morning, the theme park itself remains open, though the roller coaster has been closed indefinitely.
Officials say investigators are at the very beginning of their review. “It’s very early in the investigation and we have no further information for release at this time,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement.
Las autoridades revelaron que la autopsia realizada al puertorriqueño Kevin Rodríguez Zavala de 32 años, luego de este ser encontrado inconsciente en la atracción ‘Stardust Racers’ de Epic Universe en Orlando y morir posteriormente en un hospital , reveló que la causa de muerte… pic.twitter.com/vxCEnkg07w
— Molusco (@Moluskein) September 19, 2025
Universal called the incident heartbreaking. “We are devastated by this tragic event and extend our sincerest sympathies to the guest’s loved ones,” a spokesperson said. “We are fully cooperating with Orange County and the ongoing investigation. The attraction remains closed.”
The shocking news comes only weeks after another sudden death on a theme park ride. In August, a 53-year-old man died while riding the Frozen attraction at Hong Kong Disneyland. He was with his wife when she noticed he had collapsed during the ride. First responders performed CPR and rushed him to a hospital, but he was later pronounced dead.
Hong Kong Disneyland officials said their investigation showed no link between the ride and the man’s death, pointing instead to underlying health conditions. His wife confirmed he had a history of heart problems and high blood pressure.
The new Orlando case raises fresh questions about how health issues intersect with the high-speed thrills that millions of people line up for each year. Authorities in Florida have not confirmed whether the Epic Universe guest suffered from any medical conditions.
The focus now turns to investigators, who are working with Universal to understand what went wrong and whether this was a medical episode or something more.
For park guests, the tragedy casts a shadow over the excitement of Epic Universe, a park designed to push the limits of theme park experiences with faster rides, immersive environments, and record-setting attractions.
A Florida medical examiner said 32-year-old Kevin Rodriguez Zavala died of multiple blunt impact injuries after going on the Stardust Racers ride at Epic Universal theme park. Park officials said Zavala became unresponsive while riding the coaster. pic.twitter.com/MkpQfbEAin
— Anne Young (@HanneyYoung) September 19, 2025
With one of its signature rides already under investigation, the world is waiting to see what answers emerge — and whether the death at Epic Universe signals a heartbreaking accident or the start of a deeper safety review.
