Key Takeaways
- The death of 32-year-old Kevin Rodriguez Zavala on a high-speed roller coaster at Universal’s Epic Universe theme park was ruled accidental by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.
- Zavala suffered severe injuries, including a deep cut on his forehead, a fractured eye socket, and a broken thigh bone, due to blunt-impact trauma.
- The sheriff’s office found that Epic Universe employees followed all safety procedures and were not negligent in the incident.
- The roller coaster had warning signs cautioning guests about sudden drops and accelerations, and advising against riding with certain physical conditions.
- The incident has raised concerns about amusement park safety, following a similar incident in 2022 that led to the passage of the Tyre Sampson Act to bolster safety requirements.
Introduction to the Incident
A recent investigation by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office has concluded that the death of Kevin Rodriguez Zavala, a 32-year-old man, on a high-speed roller coaster at Universal’s Epic Universe theme park was accidental. The incident occurred on September 17, and the medical examiner’s report revealed that Zavala suffered a deep cut on the left side of his forehead, a fracture to the bone ridge above his eye, and bleeding above his skull. Additional injuries included bruises on his arms and abdomen, a broken nose, and a fractured right thigh bone.
Investigation and Findings
The investigation found that Epic Universe employees followed all safety procedures and were not negligent in the incident. Security footage showed Zavala appearing "engaged and well" when the ride began, but at its conclusion, he was slumped and unresponsive. Witnesses described seeing Zavala bleeding from his face and leaning over in his seat once the coaster stopped. A physician, Anna Marshall, who was waiting in line for the ride, assisted Zavala after the incident and reported that his thigh bone was "broken in half and resting on the back of the ride chair".
Zavala’s Medical History
Zavala’s family members told investigators that his spinal cord atrophy, which had resulted in his disability, had no role in his death. However, they shared that he had a history of surgeries, including a fractured thigh bone requiring surgery in 2020 and hip surgery following a dislocation in 2010. Zavala’s girlfriend, Javiliz Cruz-Robles, who was seated next to him on the ride, reported that a ride operator had to push the lap bar down multiple times before it locked into place and that it seemed too tight across their laps.
Ride Safety and Warning Signs
The sheriff’s office noted that warning signs at the ride entrance cautioned guests about sudden drops and accelerations. The signs also advised against riding with "back, neck or similar physical conditions", or after recent surgeries or conditions that might be worsened by the ride. The roller coaster, a dual-launch design reaching speeds of up to 62mph, had officially opened in May to visitors of Epic Universe. The incident has raised concerns about amusement park safety, particularly for guests with pre-existing medical conditions.
Comparison to Similar Incidents
The ruling in Zavala’s death comes after a jury last December awarded $310m to the family of a 14-year-old boy who was thrown to his death from a since-dismantled free-fall ride at Orlando’s Icon Park in March 2022. The episode prompted Florida legislators to pass the Tyre Sampson Act to bolster safety requirements for amusement park attractions. The incident highlights the need for continued vigilance and improvement in amusement park safety to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the death of Kevin Rodriguez Zavala on a high-speed roller coaster at Universal’s Epic Universe theme park was a tragic accident that has raised concerns about amusement park safety. The investigation found that Epic Universe employees followed all safety procedures, but the incident highlights the need for continued improvement in safety measures, particularly for guests with pre-existing medical conditions. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of prioritizing safety and taking necessary precautions to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future.