News Guest dies, found unresponsive after riding Stardust Racers

[mkt]

Man found unresponsive on ride at Epic Universe identified after he died at hospital

The guest who died was identified as a man in his 30s, according to the Orange County Sheriff's Office.

www.wesh.com

Breaking news: Guest dies, found unresponsive after riding Epic Universe coaster, Universal says

ORLANDO, Fla. —
A guest at Epic Universe has died following a ride on Stardust Racers late Wednesday, leading to an investigation by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.

The guest was found unresponsive after riding the dual rollercoaster and was taken to the hospital, where they later died, according to a statement from Universal.

Chopper 2 was live on the scene and captured exclusive video of a large law enforcement presence, including crime scene vans and a forensic team taking photos of the ride vehicle in the loading area.

Statement from Universal spokesperson

Universal is cooperating with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office following a tragic event involving a guest at Epic Universe on Wednesday night. The guest became unresponsive after riding Stardust Racers and was transported to the hospital, where the guest later died. 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. The attraction remains closed.

 

[Comped]

Guest reports I'm reading on other sites note that it seems like the victim hit their head at some point, but was likely already passed out part-way through the ride.

 

[JT3000]

Guest reports I'm reading on other sites note that it seems like the victim hit their head at some point, but was likely already passed out part-way through the ride.

On what?

I'm sure we're going to find out they had some preexisting condition. It's important to know your personal limits, as thrill rides aren't actually safe for everyone to ride, no matter how many strict, general precautions are taken. This is the dirty little secret of theme parks we don't like to talk about.

 

[mkt]

Guest reports I'm reading on other sites note that it seems like the victim hit their head at some point, but was likely already passed out part-way through the ride.

I’ve read the same ones, but it could also just have been a nosebleed from being thrown around like a ragdoll when you’re not conscious. Also someone on Reddit claiming to be a doctor says it looks like it was possibly someone having an aneurysm while on the ride.

 

[mergatroid]

R.I.P.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Medical examiner says cause of death was “multiple blunt impact injuries”.

Cause of death released for Epic Universe roller coaster rider

The name and cause of death for the Epic Universe guest who died after riding a roller coaster have been released.

www.wftv.com

 

[Comped]

Medical examiner says cause of death was “multiple blunt impact injuries”.

Cause of death released for Epic Universe roller coaster rider

The name and cause of death for the Epic Universe guest who died after riding a roller coaster have been released.

www.wftv.com

Welp. Not what I expected.

 

[Andrew C]

Welp. Not what I expected.

There’s got to be more to the story.

Also, I assume this means extended downtime for the ride.

 

[mkt]

Medical examiner says cause of death was “multiple blunt impact injuries”.

Cause of death released for Epic Universe roller coaster rider

The name and cause of death for the Epic Universe guest who died after riding a roller coaster have been released.

www.wftv.com

Yikes

 

[BrianLo]

My guess would have been a Wolf Parkinson White or something along that nature.

Multiple blunt force trauma seems unusual. If you passed out without tone I wouldn’t expect the coaster could kill you.

If that is what they are determining I do expect this might be taken offline for a while.

 

[Andrew C]

My guess would have been a Wolf Parkinson White or something along that nature.

Multiple blunt force trauma seems unusual. If you passed out without tone I wouldn’t expect the coaster could kill you.

If that is what they are determining I do expect this might be taken offline for a while.

Yeah. There are definitely more details that will come.

 

[ToTBellHop]

Impact with what, exactly?

 

[AidenRodriguez731]

This is a horrible, horrible tragedy. I'm wishing the absolute best to the family... I can't imagine how hard this must be

 

[AidenRodriguez731]

Impact with what, exactly?

We won't know until there's a full investigation I'm sure. I've heard some reports of something with the back of the restraint being off. This could be a freak accident or something that needs SERIOUS looking into.

 

[cjkeating]

Impact with what, exactly?

A bird? It has happened on coasters before not aware of it ever causing a death.

I don’t think these coasters ever run towards each other to risk something flying towards a train from one to the other? I haven’t ridden on them yet so someone else can confirm this?

 

[cjkeating]

We won't know until there's a full investigation I'm sure. I've heard some reports of something with the back of the restraint being off. This could be a freak accident or something that needs SERIOUS looking into.

If it is a fault with the restraint then it seems like a freak accident as these seats/restraints have been on multiple coasters around the world for 10+ years.

 

[AidenRodriguez731]

A bird? It has happened on coasters before not aware of it ever causing a death.

I don’t think these coasters ever run towards each other to risk something flying towards a train from one to the other? I haven’t ridden on them yet so someone else can confirm this?

The report said multiple impacts to the head, the bird would be a single impact and unlikely to cause death that fast. I would think

 

[AidenRodriguez731]

If it is a fault with the restraint then it seems like a freak accident as these seats/restraints have been on multiple coasters around the world for 10+ years.

I meant I've heard some accounts that claim that the headrest was detached. Unsure if this was a result of the accident or rather a response to it, or in some way the actual cause of it.

 

[Vegas Disney Fan]

Impact with what, exactly?

I had a similar thought, looking at the seat/restraints it seems even an unconscious rider shouldn’t be able to hit anything that’s not cushioned, assuming nothing broke… maybe a really tall person could hit the back of the seat in front of them?

 

[AidenRodriguez731]

I had a similar thought, looking at the sear/restraints it seems even an unconscious rider shouldn’t be able to hit anything that’s not cushioned… maybe a really tall person could hit the back of the seat in front of them?

View attachment 883737

I've heard limited accounts that someone said the back of the headrest appeared off. Is it possible that something broke it structurally inside and the blows were to the back of the head on the metal directly behind? I'm really not sure the likelihood of that but I found that eyewitness odd.