(LOOTPRESS) – A man in his 30s died after riding the Stardust Racers roller coaster at Universal’s Epic Universe in Orlando on Wednesday, according to park officials and law enforcement.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office said off-duty deputies responded to a “man down” call at the theme park. When they arrived, they found the man unresponsive. He was transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
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Universal confirmed the incident and said the ride remains closed.
“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. We are devastated by this event and extend our sincerest sympathies to the guest’s loved ones. We are fully committed to cooperating with this ongoing investigation. The attraction remains closed,” a Universal spokesperson said in a statement.
The Stardust Racers coaster is one of Epic Universe’s most prominent attractions. It reaches speeds up to 62 miles per hour and heights of 133 feet on a 5,000-foot track. The ride features two racing tracks—green and yellow—along with an inverted crisscross maneuver called the Celestial Spin.
Before opening, the ride underwent 80 consecutive hours of flawless operation as part of its safety testing.
Universal’s safety guidelines caution that the coaster includes “sudden and dramatic acceleration, climbing, tilting, inversion and dropping.” Guests must be at least four feet tall to ride.
Those with certain medical conditions, including high blood pressure, heart issues, back or neck problems, sensitivity to motion or strobe lights, and expectant mothers, are advised not to ride. Guests are also required to store loose items in lockers and pass through a metal detector before boarding.
