Tragedy Strikes Universal’s Newly Opened Epic Universe As Visitor Dies On Roller Coaster

Just months after the long-awaited grand opening of Universal Orlando’s latest theme park, Epic Universe, has been rocked by a tragedy. A male guest in his 30s died after riding the park’s signature dual-launch roller coaster, Stardust Racers. Riding at speeds of 62 miles per hour and reaching a height of 133 feet, Stardust Racers takes riders on a space-themed adventure with a 5,000-foot track packed with high-intensity thrills. Universal has billed the coaster as its most intense experience yet, with “racing launches and a gravity-defying inverted crisscross in mid-air.”

Orange County Sheriff’s Office Deputies who were off-duty and working at the park responded to the report of a “man down” around 9 p.m. Wednesday, according to an incident report obtained by WESH 2 News. Upon arrival, deputies found the guest unresponsive. The man was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead, according to the report.

“While we are devastated by this event, we extend our sincerest condolences to the guest’s loved ones,” Universal Orlando said in a statement. “We take matters like this very seriously and are fully cooperating with this ongoing investigation. The attraction will remain closed.”

The ride has previously been the subject of scrutiny. In July, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services theme park injury reports released by Theme Park Insider showed that a 63-year-old man and a 47-year-old woman were taken to local hospitals after experiencing medical problems upon exiting Stardust Racers. The man reported feeling dizzy and having an altered state of consciousness, while the woman said she experienced visual changes and numbness. The incident report stated both guests had “preexisting conditions that contributed to the injuries” but did not specify what those were. The guests were both hospitalized for at least 24 hours.