News Guest dies, found unresponsive after riding Stardust Racers

[mkt]

I just don't see it happening. If Big Thunder still stands, this coaster will also.

Big Thunder has a decades-long legacy and comes from a company that, for most of its history, could do no wrong (at least until the political mess of the last few years).

Stardust Racers is different, it’s a brand-new coaster in a brand-new park that doesn’t even have its public image set yet. This is more like if a Boeing 777 crashes vs. a brand-new Airbus A350. The 777 has a long reputation for being safe and reliable - one crash won’t sink the fleet. But if a brand-new A350 goes down this early in its lifespan, it could be enough to tank the whole program.

 

[CoastalElite64]

I just don't see it happening. If Big Thunder still stands, this coaster will also.

The difference now is social media. Not saying it will close or not. It's such a tragic event.

 

[Mr Ferret 75]

Big Thunder has a decades-long legacy and comes from a company that, for most of its history, could do no wrong (at least until the political mess of the last few years).

Stardust Racers is different, it’s a brand-new coaster in a brand-new park that doesn’t even have its public image set yet. This is more like if a Boeing 777 crashes vs. a brand-new Airbus A350. The 777 has a long reputation for being safe and reliable - one crash won’t sink the fleet. But if a brand-new A350 goes down this early in its lifespan, it could be enough to tank the whole program.

But wouldn't demolishing the coaster be used by the families counsel as admission of guilt ?

 

[mkt]

We cannot rule anything out at this point... But I'm not sure that OSCO is the best to handle this investigation (given how little sustained experience or institutional knowledge they have with investigating ride-related (let along caused) deaths that aren't easily explained. This is why we really needed federal oversight and regulation years ago, and ideally a federal office dedicated to investigating these kinds of things like we have with the NTSB and so forth...

Two thoughts.

1- Disney’s been in their jurisdiction for decades. They likely have SOME experience or knowledge to handle this kind of investigation, but probably very robust.
2- In my experience, OSHA steps in when there’s a staff injury or death, so at least there’s some framework and ability to investigate on that front. Perhaps they can lead?

 

[mkt]

But wouldn't demolishing the coaster be used by the families counsel as admission of guilt ?

That’s a fair point. If they move too fast, the family’s attorney would absolutely frame it as an admission of guilt. If Uni goes that route, it’ll be after the investigation and legal dust settle, so it looks like a long-term business decision rather than a reaction to the case.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Yes, I do.

The lawsuit could drag out for a long time, and the attorney representing the family knows how to work the press. If Universal reopens the ride, it hands him an emotional weapon to use in court - keeping the attraction in the headlines for all the wrong reasons.

From a business standpoint, demolishing it and building a new coaster may actually be the fastest way to move on.

Fair point - a manslaughter investigation and retaining counsel are both standard steps in a case like this. But my take is less about the legal process itself and more about optics. This isn’t a regional park, it’s Universal’s brand-new flagship. The risk of headlines dragging out for months, with an attorney feeding the press, makes the ride itself a liability. From a pure PR and business perspective, demolish and replace could be the cleanest path forward.

This only really works if Universal was negligent in some manner.

 

[mkt]

This only really works if Universal was negligent in some manner.

Guilt and innocence don't matter in court of public opinion.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Big Thunder has a decades-long legacy and comes from a company that, for most of its history, could do no wrong (at least until the political mess of the last few years).

Stardust Racers is different, it’s a brand-new coaster in a brand-new park that doesn’t even have its public image set yet. This is more like if a Boeing 777 crashes vs. a brand-new Airbus A350. The 777 has a long reputation for being safe and reliable - one crash won’t sink the fleet. But if a brand-new A350 goes down this early in its lifespan, it could be enough to tank the whole program.

Stardust Racers isn’t some prototype design. We don’t even have reports of operational changes at Carowinds or SeaWorld Sand Diego, much less Europa Park.

The difference now is social media. Not saying it will close or not. It's such a tragic event.

The fatal accident on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad was national news.

 

[Comped]

Two thoughts.

1- Disney’s been in their jurisdiction for decades. They likely have SOME experience or knowledge to handle this kind of investigation, but probably very robust.
2- In my experience, OSHA steps in when there’s a staff injury or death, so at least there’s some framework and ability to investigate on that front. Perhaps they can lead?

1) There's a lack of institutional knowledge in how to handle it though - as investigations happen every few years at best, and there's very little if anything done to train on how to investigate such incidents beyond a more standard manslaughter case (at least from my research/correspondence). Any experience is bare-bones at best, held within the small percentage who've participated in these previous investigations, and it's unlikely they thought to (or actively do) pass down their knowledge and experience. unlike. say, dealing with car chases or purse snatching. At least from what I've found.
2) That would make sense, if they were able to do so from a regulatory standpoint (which they aren't unfortunately).

 

[mkt]

Stardust Racers isn’t some prototype design. We don’t even have reports of operational changes at Carowinds or SeaWorld Sand Diego, much less Europa Park.

We’re not litigating fault here - I’m talking about the court of public opinion. The average non–theme park fan (which is the majority of the population) has no idea that Stardust Racers has siblings running safely around the world. All they’ll see is “new ride, new park, fatal accident.” That’s the narrative Universal has to manage.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

Does this train and restraint design exist on other launched coasters? I’m guessing that’s a yes, but just curious.

 

[lazyboy97o]

We’re not litigating fault here - I’m talking about the court of public opinion. The average non–theme park fan (which is the majority of the population) has no idea that Stardust Racers has siblings running safely around the world. All they’ll see is “new ride, new park, fatal accident.” That’s the narrative Universal has to manage.

It only really has to be managed if there is some finding of fault. There’s no story to someone continuing to make unfounded claims. You’re acting as though there is already an all out blitz against Universal.

Does this train and restraint design exist on other launched coasters? I’m guessing that’s a yes, but just curious.

Yes, it has been Mack’s standard design for several years now. Mack also owns and operates Europa Park.

 

[Andrew C]

Mack is doing that new hybrid boat/coaster thing at Dollywood. I forget what they call the system.

 

[mkt]

It only really has to be managed if there is some finding of fault. There’s no story to someone continuing to make unfounded claims. You’re acting as though there is already an all out blitz against Universal.

I’m really not - but this is as big of a public relations nightmare as Universal could ever face. Even without an official finding of fault, the headlines alone are enough to damage the brand if it isn’t handled carefully.

 

[AidenRodriguez731]

I don't think this closes Stardust and tears it down, I think the simpler solution would be a train modification with an over head restraint. Still looks like Universal did something and prevents a duplicate situation to this happening and Uni can still settle out of court which I'm sure is what's gonna happen anyway. No major theme park wants the PR from taking a huge case like this to court.

 

[Disney Analyst]

Frankly no one outside the theme park community is talking about this tragic incident.

Even if Universal somehow had a part to blame in this, they’ll settle out of court quietly, make any needed modifications, and the world won’t even blink.

 

[EricsBiscuit]

They absolutely should not permanently close this ride. They also should not settle this case. Bullies like that attorney should not win (ETA: perhaps they should settle if the terms are advantageous but they should at least try to put up a fight). It is very sad and unfortunate that this man died but it is a result of his own negligence. Universal did nothing wrong and the ride worked as intended. That man had no business being on that ride and his girlfriend or whoever was with him and let him ride that is responsible for his death, not Universal. I admit this is a tough stance but it is what is fair to Universal. If it comes out that Universal did something wrong (which I highly doubt), then I will change my mind.

 

[lazyboy97o]

I’m really not - but this is as big of a public relations nightmare as Universal could ever face. Even without an official finding of fault, the headlines alone are enough to damage the brand if it isn’t handled carefully.

It only stays in the headlines if there is something to keep it there.

Frankly no one outside the theme park community is talking about this tragic incident.

Most of the news is coming from non-theme park specific outlets.

 

[mkt]

Frankly no one outside the theme park community is talking about this tragic incident.

It only stays in the headlines if there is something to keep it there.


Most of the news is coming from non-theme park specific outlets.

This isn’t just theme park chatter - it made NYT, CNN, Fox, WaPo, People, NY Daily News, plus hundreds of local outlets through syndication. Even my mother-in-law overseas even asked me about it when she read about it on her local news and she couldn't care less about theme parks. That makes it a global story, and the reality is headlines outlast details - people will remember what’s in the press now, not the final report months later.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

It is very sad and unfortunate that this man died but it is a result of his own negligence.

That is absolutely not a fact and most likely not a true statement at all.