A tragic incident unfolded at a Universal theme park resulting in the death of a man who suffered severe injuries, as confirmed by the family’s legal representatives. Kevin Zavala, 32, encountered a medical emergency while on the Stardust Racers ride at Universal’s Epic Universe theme park in Florida last week. Zavala, who had a prior spinal injury, utilized a wheelchair before boarding the rollercoaster, according to an incident report.
Despite being quickly transported to a nearby hospital, Zavala was pronounced dead after sustaining “blunt impact injuries,” ruled as accidental by the medical examiner. The exact location of these injuries remains undisclosed. The Stardust Racers attraction, as per the park’s safety guidelines, is specifically designed to assist individuals in transitioning from a wheelchair to the ride.
In the wake of this tragedy, Zavala’s grieving family enlisted the services of civil rights attorney Ben Crump to seek clarity and accountability. Crump has demanded that the theme park disclose information pertaining to the ride, such as maintenance records, inspection logs, ride data, and CCTV footage, to shed light on the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Expressing the family’s anguish, Crump emphasized the necessity for a thorough investigation and complete transparency into the events leading up to Zavala’s death. On the contrary, Universal Orlando Resort’s President and COO, Karen Irwin, maintained that the ride operated normally and all equipment was intact during the incident.
As a precautionary measure, the attraction remains closed while a comprehensive review, in collaboration with the ride manufacturer, is underway to uphold safety standards. A GoFundMe page has been set up by Zavala’s family to cover funeral expenses for their cherished relative, with heartfelt tributes describing him as a compassionate and resilient individual. The fundraising initiative has already surpassed its initial target, reflecting the outpouring of support from the community.