ORLANDO, Fla. — Universal Orlando Resort will reopen its Stardust Racers roller coaster on Saturday for the first time since the tragic death of rider Kevin Rodriguez Zavala last month, but the coaster will no longer accommodate riders like Zavala in wheelchairs, the Orlando Sentinel has learned.
Zavala, of Kissimmee, was helped into the Epic Universe roller coaster on Sept. 17 by Universal employees, according to reports. The Orange County medical examiner ruled his death as accidental and the result of “multiple blunt impact injuries.”
Attorneys representing Zavala’s family have angrily blasted Universal for suggesting that Zavala’s disability played a role in his death. Zavala had spinal cord atrophy since birth.
According to the corporate release posted on the theme park’s website Friday, Universal has conducted an “extensive review” of the ride with “local officials,” the state of Florida, the ride’s manufacturer and an independent engineering expert to confirm “the ride systems functioned properly throughout the boarding process, the duration of the ride, and upon the ride vehicle’s return to the station.”
The release also states that Universal’s “team members” or employees followed the correct procedures.
The release also states that Universal is updating its “operational procedures” and signs to alert riders to “physical eligibility requirements” of all its rides.
Universal’s Safety and Accessibility Guidelines were updated since Zavata’s death to no longer include Stardust Racers as a ride in which team members will accommodate transferring riders from their wheelchairs to the ride vehicle.
The Dragon Racers Rally coaster and Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment dark ride were also listed in the latest version of the safety guidelines as requiring those in mobility devices to be able to walk independently, also a change from last month.
Zavala lost consciousness while riding the Stardust Racers — a fast-paced roller coaster that reaches speeds of 62 mph and rises up to 133 feet — with his girlfriend. He was found slumped over in his seat, and witnesses said that his head kept banging on the head rest. Employees and later paramedics performed CPR on Zavala. He was rushed to Orlando Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office said Friday the case remains an open and active death investigation.
