News Guest dies, found unresponsive after riding Stardust Racers

[AidenRodriguez731]

An update according to WFTV

Report, dispatch audio shed now light on Epic Universe roller coaster rider’s death

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office has released the incident report on the man who died after riding the Epic Universe roller coaster Stardust Racers.

www.wftv.com

The report says Zavala had a spinal injury that required him to be in a wheelchair.

If that's true then he shouldn't have been riding the coaster.

The highlighted part seems irrelevant?

But even then, this spinal injury is not the cause of his death. Maybe he should not be on the coaster but unless Universal can guarantee that this incident would NOT happen with a reasonably able-bodied person, then I think the coaster needs to have adjustments.

 

[mlayton144]

The highlighted part seems irrelevant?

But even then, this spinal injury is not the cause of his death. Maybe he should not be on the coaster but unless Universal can guarantee that this incident would NOT happen with a reasonably able-bodied person, then I think the coaster needs to have adjustments.

Yes don’t see how a preexisting spinal condition would cause death from multiple brute force injuries - why go there ?

 

[Jrb1979]

The highlighted part seems irrelevant?

But even then, this spinal injury is not the cause of his death. Maybe he should not be on the coaster but unless Universal can guarantee that this incident would NOT happen with a reasonably able-bodied person, then I think the coaster needs to have adjustments.

Add some over the shoulder restraints and seatbelts. Maybe unfortunately the answer is that going forward to not push the G forces anymore. Keep the coasters Disney level.

From the comments here, I take it many don't ride coasters much if at all.

 

[StarWarsGirl]

The highlighted part seems irrelevant?

But even then, this spinal injury is not the cause of his death. Maybe he should not be on the coaster but unless Universal can guarantee that this incident would NOT happen with a reasonably able-bodied person, then I think the coaster needs to have adjustments.

I'm saying this as someone who has not actually gone to Universal and really doesn't care to but who loves rollercoasters...

I am 95% sure Universal isn't at fault here.

Universal is known for their safety standards. The fact that their injury reports are generally guests with preexisting conditions is evidence enough of that. The reason I don't really want to go there is too many of their rides make me motion sick, and for the price point, I'd rather go to WDW where I can ride everything and get my roller coaster fixes at other parks. Literally the only reason. I am absolutely confident in the safety and maintenance of their attractions, in spite of this incident.

I would be absolutely shocked if there is any fault on Universal. When this kind of thing happens on a new ride and there is fault found, it's usually on the manufacturer.

I am interested to see the results of the full investigation, but that is going to take time, as it should.

 

[AidenRodriguez731]

Add some over the shoulder restraints and seatbelts. Maybe unfortunately the answer is that going forward to not push the G forces anymore. Keep the coasters Disney level.

From the comments here, I take it many don't ride coasters much if at all.

I do ride coasters all the time, I am a bit cautious as a bigger guy and I have controlled higher blood pressure though. I know my limits as much as I can but it is distressing to me that something that seems to be entirely avoidable is being put on this poor guy. The amount of disgusting comments I've read (not here but on other sites) blaming this guy, saying they hope he doesn't get this coaster shut down, etc is despicable. This is an innocent man. His body has barely gone cold and all people are talking about is how can we blame him + why it shouldn't affect OUR coaster.

There are tons and tons of coasters that have a similar set-up. For this coaster to kill someone THIS fast, I would say something could be wrong and they should change something, I don't know exactly what but passing out on a coaster should not be enough to KILL someone. Period. Full stop.

 

[AidenRodriguez731]

I'm saying this as someone who has not actually gone to Universal and really doesn't care to but who loves rollercoasters...

I am 95% sure Universal isn't at fault here.

Universal is known for their safety standards. The fact that their injury reports are generally guests with preexisting conditions is evidence enough of that. The reason I don't really want to go there is too many of their rides make me motion sick, and for the price point, I'd rather go to WDW where I can ride everything and get my roller coaster fixes at other parks. Literally the only reason. I am absolutely confident in the safety and maintenance of their attractions, in spite of this incident.

I would be absolutely shocked if there is any fault on Universal. When this kind of thing happens on a new ride and there is fault found, it's usually on the manufacturer.

I am interested to see the results of the full investigation, but that is going to take time, as it should.

Oh I do think this is probably not "Universals" fault, I more so meant the manufacturer. It would be Universals fault if the incident was due to age or lack of training but based on everything we've heard, that is not the case it appears. I'm just surprised something like this could be missed in testing if it is a fault of the coaster itself (which it appears to be)

I feel like the ride should be tested to verify if someone passing out could die from hitting their head (which appears to be the case) If that is true, something needs to be updated about the restraints, perhaps an over the head restraint is necessary due to the coaster layout/train design? Who knows, like I said I'm not an engineer. I'm a nurse.

 

[Jrb1979]

I do ride coasters all the time, I am a bit cautious as a bigger guy and I have controlled higher blood pressure though. I know my limits as much as I can but it is distressing to me that something that seems to be entirely avoidable is being put on this poor guy. The amount of disgusting comments I've read (not here but on other sites) blaming this guy, saying they hope he doesn't get this coaster shut down, etc is despicable. This is an innocent man. His body has barely gone cold and all people are talking about is how can we blame him + why it shouldn't affect OUR coaster.

There are tons and tons of coasters that have a similar set-up. For this coaster to kill someone THIS fast, I would say something could be wrong and they should change something, I don't know exactly what but passing out on a coaster should not be enough to KILL someone. Period. Full stop.

I don't put the blame on the man but I also don't blame Universal or Mack either. Til we know for sure the whole story, you can't say there is something wrong with the coaster. For all we know, his spinal cord issue had something to do with why he passed out.

 

[StarWarsGirl]

I don't know exactly what but passing out on a coaster should not be enough to KILL someone. Period. Full stop.

It depends on the situation. Again, I don't want to make a judgement until we've seen the full investigation.

Bear in mind too that this is the first round of the autopsy. The ME gave the opinion on the cause of death, but there's additional reports to come back that could take longer.

Back to your point, we don't want to assign blame or make a judgement until we have more information. That includes on the individual riding it or whether there was a manufacturing defect or other issue. It could have even been a freak thing where he passed out and then was hit by a bird, a la Fabio on Apollo's Chariot.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

It could have even been a freak thing where he passed out and then was hit by a bird, a la Fabio on Apollo's Chariot.

That’s an example of how bad something happened here - a Canadian goose in the face at 60 mph causes injuries - not death.

I also wonder if this will create a requirement for employees to visually watch intense attractions and e-stop if there is something wrong - like a guest passed out.

 

[Jrb1979]

That’s an example of how bad something happened here - a Canadian goose in the face at 60 mph causes injuries - not death.

I also wonder if this will create a requirement for employees to visually watch intense attractions and e-stop if there is something wrong - like a guest passed out.

IMO the parks need to hammer home these warning signs. Put up videos while in line, have signs every where.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

IMO the parks need to hammer home these warning signs. Put up videos while in line, have signs every where.

“death by blunt force trauma could occur - ride at your own risk” ?

 

[StarWarsGirl]

“death by blunt force trauma could occur - ride at your own risk” ?

Only at California next to the Prop 65 warnings.

 

[StarWarsGirl]

IMO the parks need to hammer home these warning signs. Put up videos while in line, have signs every where.

Guests can't figure out the color system at Rise of the Resistance and that seatbelts go left to right on ToT...you want them to read?

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

Only at California next to the Prop 65 warnings.

I’m scared to research those…. I’ll just use my iPhone with cell and Wi-Fi all around me while enjoying Disneyland pretending all is good. Haha

 

[StarWarsGirl]

I’m scared to research those…. I’ll just use my iPhone with cell and Wi-Fi all around me while enjoying Disneyland pretending all is good. Haha

I researched it because I have ADHD, internet, and no self control.

Apparently, it was put in place to keep companies accountable when they added chemicals to products that caused cancer, as well as keeping them accountable for when they did stuff like contaminating drinking water.

Unfortunately, it went to far, and now the warnings are just everywhere and basically useless. Next the state will be labeling the sun because that also can cause cancer...

(I'm a cancer survivor FYI).

If you're interested, documents related to the certificate of compliance for each attraction can be viewed at City Hall at Disneyland. I really want to go ask just to waste someone's time...

 

[Jrb1979]

Guests can't figure out the color system at Rise of the Resistance and that seatbelts go left to right on ToT...you want them to read?

No but there has to be a way to get guests to understand that you may not be able to ride every ride. This is the second death on a coaster since 2011 where the person probably shouldn't have been riding the coaster. That falls on the parks to enforce that.

In 2011, a Veteran who lost his legs rode the Superman coaster at Darien Lake. During the ride he fell out due to the G forces and not having legs to hold him in.

 

[StarWarsGirl]

there has to be a way to get guests to understand

Oh sweet summer child...

 

[DisneyHead123]

It depends on the situation. Again, I don't want to make a judgement until we've seen the full investigation.

Bear in mind too that this is the first round of the autopsy. The ME gave the opinion on the cause of death, but there's additional reports to come back that could take longer.

Back to your point, we don't want to assign blame or make a judgement until we have more information. That includes on the individual riding it or whether there was a manufacturing defect or other issue. It could have even been a freak thing where he passed out and then was hit by a bird, a la Fabio on Apollo's Chariot.

Yeah, definitely true. My hunch (just a hunch) is that this coaster was tested with something like crash test dummies, who may have a different physiological profile than someone who is partially paralyzed and likely experienced significant muscle atrophy. I believe a certain amount of rigidity is assumed even for someone who is unconscious as the average human has a typical range of muscle tone and flexibility.

That said, there are other possible scenarios. Maybe he was actively seizing which caused him to strike the headrest repeatedly. There have been reports of “a large piece of metal” at the scene - who knows if those are true or what that could mean? Not impossible that someone snuck on a cell phone which went flying. Definitely too early to tell.

 

[networkpro]

That's why there's an investigation to determine what occurred. There's an inherent assumption of risk when a guest chooses to voluntarily ride anything. Its not a get out of free situation as they need to determine if it did not occur as the result of gross negligence, failure to warn, poor maintenance or something that's beyond the normal risks such as structural failure.

 

[SplashJacket]

Sincere question - if a limp human body is getting thrown around like a ragdoll at 60+ mph and around 4 G’s, that’s not enough to cause blunt force trauma?

The speed is irrelevant, it’s the acceleration that would cause force / slamming, but as mentioned elsewhere, the acceleration (launches and decelerations) are in line with many other coasters, and the restraints are featured in many other coasters for years and years (without issue).

Star Dust very likely has the highest capacity of any extreme thrill coaster, and Star Dust likely has the highest proportion of unfit riders.

We don’t know what happened, so too early to say, but this isn’t a world’s tallest slide or prototype situation.