Key Takeaways
- The death of 32-year-old Kevin Rodriguez Zavala after riding a high-speed roller coaster at Universal Epic Universe theme park was ruled an accident by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.
- Zavala suffered severe facial trauma, including a deep gash on his forehead, a fractured bony ridge above his eye, and bleeding above his skull.
- An investigation found that workers at the theme park followed procedures and were not careless or neglectful.
- Zavala had a pre-existing medical condition, spinal cord atrophy, which his family said did not contribute to his death.
- The incident has raised questions about the safety of theme park rides and the precautions taken to ensure the well-being of riders with pre-existing medical conditions.
Introduction to the Incident
The death of Kevin Rodriguez Zavala, a 32-year-old man, after riding a high-speed roller coaster at Universal Epic Universe theme park in Orlando, has been ruled an accident by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. According to a report released by the sheriff’s office, Zavala died from blunt-impact injuries sustained while riding the roller coaster. The incident occurred on September 17, and an investigation was conducted to determine the cause of the accident.
Medical Examiner’s Report
A medical examiner’s report released on Friday revealed that Zavala suffered severe facial trauma, including a deep gash on the left side of his forehead, a fractured bony ridge above his eye, and bleeding above his skull. Additionally, he had bruises on his abdomen and arms, and his nose and right thigh bone were fractured. The medical examiner had previously ruled the death an accident, stating that Zavala died from blunt-impact injuries. The report also noted that Zavala had metal rods in his back from a previous spinal surgery, which his family said did not contribute to his death.
Investigation and Findings
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office investigation found that workers at the theme park followed procedures and were not careless or neglectful. Security video showed Zavala "engaged and well" at the start of the ride but unresponsive and slouched over in his seat at the end. Witnesses reported that Zavala was bleeding from the face and his body was slumped over when the ride came to a stop. A medical doctor who was standing in line to board the ride, Anna Marshall, rendered aid to Zavala and reported that his arm was hanging over the ride and his thigh bone was broken in half and resting on the back of the ride chair.
Ride Safety and Precautions
The incident has raised questions about the safety of theme park rides and the precautions taken to ensure the well-being of riders with pre-existing medical conditions. The ride in question, a dual-launch coaster, reaches speeds of up to 62 mph and features sudden drops and accelerations. Warning signs were posted at the ride’s entrance, advising patrons with certain medical conditions, including back, neck, or similar physical conditions, not to ride. Zavala’s parents reported that their son had previously fractured a thigh bone that required surgery in 2020 and had a hip dislocation that required surgery in 2010.
Family’s Response and Next Steps
Zavala’s family has stated that his pre-existing medical condition, spinal cord atrophy, did not contribute to his death. The family is being represented by attorney Ben Crump, who has not commented on the sheriff’s office report. The incident has sparked concerns about the safety of theme park rides and the need for more stringent precautions to be taken to ensure the well-being of riders with pre-existing medical conditions. As the investigation is now closed, it remains to be seen what actions will be taken to prevent similar incidents in the future.