A tragic incident occurred at a Universal theme park in Florida, resulting in the death of a 32-year-old man named Kevin Zavala. Zavala, who had a pre-existing spinal injury and used a wheelchair, became unresponsive while riding the Stardust Racers attraction at Universal’s Epic Universe theme park. He was rushed to a local hospital but was pronounced dead upon arrival.
The medical examiner determined Zavala’s death as accidental, citing “blunt impact injuries” as the cause. The exact location of the injuries on his body remains undisclosed. The park’s safety guide mentions that Stardust Racers is tailored to assist individuals transferring from wheelchairs to the ride.
Following the tragedy, Zavala’s family enlisted civil rights lawyer Ben Crump to seek answers and justice. Crump has urged the theme park to provide information such as maintenance logs, inspection records, ride data, and CCTV footage to shed light on the circumstances surrounding Zavala’s death.
In response, Universal Orlando Resort’s President and COO, Karen Irwin, stated that the ride was operating normally with all equipment intact during the incident. The park has closed the attraction for a comprehensive review process in collaboration with the ride manufacturer to ensure safety measures are strictly adhered to.
Zavala’s family has set up a GoFundMe page to cover funeral expenses, describing him as a compassionate and resilient individual who touched the lives of many. The fundraising campaign has surpassed its initial target, raising over £21,000.