Man Dies After Riding New Roller Coaster at Epic Universe

A visit to Universal Orlando's brand-new Epic Universe Park ended in tragedy on Wednesday when a man died after riding one of the park's famous attractions.

Authorities say that the man became unresponsive while on the Stardust Racers roller coaster. Off-duty deputies discovered him and proceeded to rush the man to the hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

The Orange County medical examiner's office has taken custody of the body to conduct an autopsy. It remains unclear whether the incident was the result of a medical emergency or a problem with the ride. Officials have yet to provide further details.

The dual-track racing coaster launces two trains simultaneously reaching speeds of 62 mph. It has been one of the park's headline attractions since Epic Universe opened in May. Stardust Racers is still closed as of Thursday morning pending investigation.

Ride Closure Tests Universal's Safety Reputation

The incident occurred at a sensitive time for Universal Orlando. The $1 billion Epic Universe park opened a mere four months ago. The massive expansion features Super Nintendo World, a new Harry Potter area with the Ministry of Magic, and several high-profile thrill rides intended to rival Disney's dominance in Central Florida.

Universal released a brief statement following the incident: "We are devastated by this tragic event and extend our sincerest sympathies to the guest's loved ones."

Fatal accidents in theme parks are rare, but they can, and have, happened before. Past investigations have uncovered causes of similar fatal accidents ranging from underlying medical conditions to mechanical malfunctions or even consumer violations of safety protocols. In this particular case, the investigation remains underway as we wait for more information.

What we do know is that Stardust Racers went through all the standard safety inspections before the park opened. Florida law requires regular inspections of all amusement park rides, and historically, Universal has maintained a strong safety record.

Ride Remains Closed Pending Investigation

As of now, the Epic Universe Park is open to visitors. Only the Stardust Racers ride will stay closed.

The investigation is expected to take weeks. The Orange County medical examiner must first determine the cause of death, while investigators will need to review the ride's maintenance records, check surveillance footage, and interview witnesses.

Until then, Stardust Racers will sit idle at Florida's newest amusement park.