On Wednesday, a tragic incident occurred at Universal Orlando Resort when a 32-year-old guest died after riding a roller coaster. Following this shocking event, the resort’s president, Karen Irwin, reached out to staff to express her sorrow and provide updates on the ongoing investigation.
In her letter to employees, Irwin stated, “Our initial findings indicate that everything functioned normally on the ride. The equipment was intact when the guests started, and throughout, and our team adhered to all protocols.” This incident has drawn significant attention, especially since it involves the recent opening of the Epic Universe park in May.
Investigation Update
Kevin Rodriguez Zavala was enjoying the Stardust Racers roller coaster when he became unresponsive. Despite the efforts of emergency services on the scene, he was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the hospital, as reported by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.
Zavala used a wheelchair, which was attributed to a preexisting spinal condition, and according to his girlfriend, he was under medication during the ride. The local medical examiner, Joshua Stephany, has classified the death as an accident due to “multiple blunt impact injuries,” according to WKMG.
A witness named Maria Fernandez, who was also on the ride, shared with WKMG that Zavala seemed to be slumped and bleeding chair when the ride came to a halt. The medical examiner’s statement, however, didn’t detail any specific injuries.
The epic attraction is currently closed while a complete review and investigation unfold. Karen Irwin acknowledged the hard work and professionalism of the staff during this challenging time.
Community Support
In her message, President Irwin extended her condolences to Zavala’s family and expressed solidarity with the staff affected by this tragedy.
Zavala’s family has also taken to a GoFundMe page to cover his funeral expenses, reflecting on his resilience in overcoming life’s obstacles with grace and strength.
Looking Ahead
The roller coaster remains shut down while the investigation progresses, with the community and those at the resort reeling from this unfortunate loss.
More updates will follow as details emerge.
