Universal Orlando's Epic Universe has reopened its Stardust Racers roller coaster after a man died following a ride on it last month.
Kevin Rodriguez Zavala, 32, died after he became unresponsive while riding the Stardust Racers coaster on 17 September, authorities and park officials confirmed at the time.
Zavala's cause of death was multiple blunt impact injuries, according to the medical examiner for Orange and Osceola counties.
In a letter to Universal Orlando team members dated 3 October, president Karen Irwin confirmed that the coaster would reopen the following day, 4 October.
"Our comprehensive technical and operational review confirmed the ride systems functioned properly throughout the boarding process, the duration of the ride, and upon the ride vehicle’s return to the station, and our team members followed procedures throughout," she wrote.
Irwin said the review was carried out alongside local officials, and that the State of Florida "observed the testing and reviewed the results".
"In addition, the ride system manufacturer of record and an independent, third-party roller coaster engineering expert conducted their own on-site testing and validated our findings," she said.
Safety updates at Epic Universe
As for safety, Irwin wrote in the letter, "To further assist guests in determining whether they can or cannot ride an attraction, we are updating operational procedures and attraction signage to reinforce existing ride warnings and physical eligibility requirements at Stardust Racers and other rides."
The family of Zavala, a wheelchair user, is being represented by attorney Ben Crump, who criticised Universal Orlando for reopening the ride.
Crump said in a statement: “Stardust Racers is evidence in an active death investigation. Reopening the ride before our experts can examine every component is unadulterated spoliation of evidence, a grave risk to public safety, and puts profit over people’s lives.
"Universal reportedly told employees the ride functioned as intended. If that is accurate, then the design itself is deadly. We are demanding that Universal pause the reopening, preserve all evidence, and allow our experts to inspect it. If they refuse, we will address Universal’s callous actions in court."
Zavala's parents, Carlos Rodriguez Ortiz and Ana Zavala, added: “By rushing to reopen this ride as if nothing happened, Universal is showing great disrespect for Kevin’s life, our family’s pain, and the safety of every rider who steps onto that coaster. We are horrified that Universal would put the ride back into operation so quickly.”
Images courtesy of Universal
