A man aged 32 passed away due to an accident on a rollercoaster in the United States, leading to the closure of the investigation into the incident. Kevin Zavala, who utilized a wheelchair due to a pre-existing spinal injury, experienced a sudden loss of consciousness while riding the Stardust Racers attraction at the Universal Epic Universe theme park in Florida in September.
The rollercoaster, called the dual-launch coaster, was introduced in May at Universal Resort Orlando and can reach speeds of up to 62 mph (100 kph). According to the Associated Press news agency, a medical examiner’s report disclosed that Zavala sustained severe injuries including a deep gash on the left side of his forehead, fractures in his nose and above his eye, bleeding above his skull, body bruises, and a fractured right thigh bone.
Witnesses and security footage from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office in Orlando indicated that Zavala was alert at the beginning of the ride but became unresponsive and injured, with visible bleeding on his face by the end. Medical findings suggested that Zavala’s existing physical condition, spinal cord atrophy, did not directly contribute to his demise.
During the ride, Zavala’s girlfriend reported that the ride operator had difficulty securing Zavala’s lap restraint properly, suggesting a potential safety issue with the restraint bar positioning. Despite efforts to secure Zavala, he reportedly suffered multiple head impacts during the ride, leading to his tragic fate.
The investigative report highlighted that ride operators followed safety protocols diligently and were not found negligent or irresponsible in their duties. Zavala’s family, represented by attorney Ben Crump, emphasized that their son’s disability was not the primary cause of his death, citing previous surgeries and injuries unrelated to his spinal condition as contributing factors.
As investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident, concerns have been raised regarding the safety measures and precautions taken at the theme park’s rides to prevent such accidents in the future.
