Cause of death revealed for man who died after riding Universal’s Epic Universe roller coaster

ORLANDO, Fla. — A man who was unresponsive after riding a roller coaster at Universal Orlando Resort’s Epic Universe has died from blunt impact injuries, and the medical examiner has ruled the death an accident.

Joshua Stephany, the medical examiner for the Orlando area, said the autopsy concluded the cause of death was blunt impact injuries. The statement did not disclose details about the injuries or where they were found on the body.

The man, in his 30s, was found unresponsive after riding the Stardust Racers roller coaster at Epic Universe on Wednesday, the Orange County Sheriff's Office said. He was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Dennis Speigel, CEO and founder of International Theme Park Services, said the autopsy conclusion was pretty shocking and raised more questions than it answered. He noted questions such as whether the injuries were caused by the ride, or by something the guest did, and whether the head, chest, or seat safety were involved.

Epic Universe opened in May. The Stardust Racers coaster is described as a dual-launch ride reaching speeds of up to 62 mph (100 kph). The park has five themed sections and a 500-room hotel.

Universal Orlando Resorts said in a statement that it is devastated by the tragedy and extended condolences to the guest’s loved ones. The company said it is cooperating with Orange County and the ongoing investigation, and the attraction remains closed.

Florida’s largest theme parks, including Walt Disney World and Universal, are not subject to state safety inspections in the same way as smaller venues, but parks conduct their own inspections and must report any injury or death to state authorities. In the second quarter of this year, Disney World, Universal, and SeaWorld Orlando logged a dozen reports of injuries or medical incidents.

Dennis Speigel, CEO and founder of International Theme Park Services, said the autopsy’s conclusion raised more questions than it answered. AP notes that the period also included a mix of incidents, ranging from an elderly guest becoming unresponsive on a child-friendly carousel at SeaWorld to another guest with a preexisting condition losing consciousness after a separate ride at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Since Epic Universe opened in May, there have been three public reports. In May, a 63-year-old man with a preexisting condition experienced dizziness and an altered state of consciousness, and a 47-year-old woman with a preexisting condition had a visual disturbance and numbness after riding the Stardust Racers coaster on separate days. A 32-year-old man experienced chest pains after riding Hiccup’s Wing Gliders, according to the Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services.

The state’s regulatory framework for major theme parks remains a point of discussion as authorities seek to balance safety oversight with the scale of assets and crowds at Florida’s top attractions. Universal said it would continue to cooperate with investigators as officials work to determine the full sequence of events surrounding the guest’s death.

Epic Universe opened in May and has brought the resort to four parks, including Universal Studios. The addition has expanded the property’s footprint with multiple themed areas and a resort hotel, underscoring the scale of Florida’s theme-park operations and the ongoing attention to rider safety as new experiences debut.