The death of a 32-year-old man after riding a high-speed roller coaster at a Universal Studios theme park in Orlando, was considered accidental, according to the Associated Press (AP). The conclusion caused the investigation into the case, which took place at Epic Universe, to be closed.
According to a medical report, Kevin Rodriguez Zavala died as a result of injuries caused by blunt impact. The document details a deep blow to the forehead, fracture of the bone above the eye, cranial hemorrhage, bruises on the abdomen and arms, as well as fractures to the nose and right femur. The cause of death had previously been classified as accidental.
The sheriff’s report highlighted in the case concludes that the park workers followed established procedures and that there was no negligence or carelessness. Video surveillance footage shows Zavala “conscious and in good condition” at the beginning of the journey, but inert and leaning over his seat at the end of the journey.
Witnesses told investigators that when the roller coaster stopped, Zavala was bleeding from his face and was hunched over in the seat. Doctor Anna Marshall, who was waiting in line to enter the attraction, told investigators that the man was “bent over the seat and surrounded by blood”, with one arm dangling and a broken thigh bonesupported on the back of the chair.
The report further reveals that Zavala used a wheelchair and had metal bars in his spine due to previous surgery. His girlfriend, Javiliz Cruz-Robles, stated that the safety system had to be adjusted several times before starting the route and that, on the first descent, Zavala was thrown forward, hitting his head on the metal bar in front of him.
In a statement included in the report, Universal paramedic Sebastian Torres wrote that the visitor was “trapped in the attraction vehicle, upside down, falling off the seat, with legs inverted”.
Zavala’s family stated that the victim’s condition, described as spinal cord atrophy, was not at the origin of the deathwhich took place on September 17th.
Epic Universe is Universal Orlando Resort’s newest park and the roller coaster reaches speeds up to 100 kilometers per hour.