Everything we know after man dies on Universal theme park roller coaster

A man has died after becoming unresponsive while riding a roller coaster at Universal's Epic Universe theme park in Florida, the park has confirmed.

The visitor, who has since been named Kevin Rodriguez Zavala, was riding the Stardust Racers roller coaster on 17 September when he became unresponsive in the middle of the ride.

Park officials from Universal Orlando Resorts have confirmed the guest was taken to hospital once the ride had come to a halt and was later pronounced dead.

The Orange County Medical Examiner says the 32-year-old died from 'multiple blunt impact injuries' and his death has been ruled as an accident. It's unclear what happened on the roller coaster ride to cause these injuries.

In a statement, the theme park said it had been 'devastated' by the death and promised to cooperate with investigations into how Zavala died.

The ride has been closed while investigations are ongoing (Thomas Simonetti/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

"We are devastated by this event and extend our sincerest sympathies to the guest’s loved ones," the statement, released on 18 September, read.

"We are fully committed to cooperating with this ongoing investigation."

While the Orange County Sheriff's Office's investigation into the guest's death continues, the park has made the decision to keep the Stardust Racers ride closed.

The Sheriff's Office released a statement which read: "Universal is cooperating with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office following a tragic event involving a guest at Epic Universe on Wednesday night. The guest became unresponsive after riding Stardust Racers and was transported to the hospital, where the guest later died."

The Stardust Racers roller coaster features two separate tracks that run side by side, allowing riders to 'race' each other. The ride, which is located in Celestial Park, is around 133 feet tall with speeds of up to 62 mph.

Stardust is a relatively new ride with the Epic Universe park only having opened its doors in May 2025.

Stardust Racer at Universal's Epic Universe (Thomas Simonetti/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

While incidents like these are rare, a 34-year-old woman died while riding The Incredible Hulk Coaster at Universal's Islands of Adventure in 2003. She sadly suffered a heart attack while riding the roller coaster and never regained consciousness, dying shortly afterwards.

A 39-year-old man died at the park in 2004 after falling from the Revenge of the Mummy's loading platform. He died from a head injury and his death was ruled as accidental.

More recently a guest became unwell and was given medical attention after rising the Decepticoaster at Universal Beijing in April 2022. The visitor was resuscitated using a defibrillator but later died.

LADbible has contacted the Orange County Sheriff's Office for comment.