A man aged 32 died in the United States after a rollercoaster accident, which has been officially deemed as accidental with the investigation now closed.
Kevin Zavala, who had a previous spinal injury and relied on a wheelchair, was on the Stardust Racers ride at the Universal Epic Universe theme park in Florida when he suddenly lost consciousness while on the ride in September.
The dual-launch coaster opened in May at Universal Resort Orlando and can reach speeds of up to 62 mph (100 kph).
According to a report by the Associated Press news agency released on December 12, a medical examiner found significant injuries on Zavala’s head and body, concluding that he died due to blunt-impact injuries sustained during the ride.
Witnesses and security footage from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office in Orlando indicated that Zavala appeared normal at the ride’s start but was unresponsive and injured by the end. His girlfriend and a medical doctor both provided accounts of the events leading up to the tragedy.
Despite safety warnings posted at the ride’s entrance, Zavala’s family stated that his pre-existing disability, spinal cord atrophy, did not directly cause his death. They mentioned his history of previous surgeries and injuries.
The investigation confirmed that the ride operators followed proper protocols and were not negligent. The family’s attorney, Ben Crump, did not respond to inquiries regarding the sheriff’s office report.
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