What happened at Epic Universe?
A guest became unresponsive after riding the Stardust Racers roller coaster and later died at the hospital.
News / Parks Central
A guest at Universal's Epic Universe in Orlando, Florida, passed away after becoming unresponsive while riding the Stardust Racers roller coaster. The incident is under investigation by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.
The incident occurred on Wednesday night at the newly opened Epic Universe theme park. The guest, whose name has not been released, became unresponsive after riding Stardust Racers, a high-speed, dual-launch roller coaster located in the Celestial Park area of the park. Emergency services were called, and the guest was transported to a local hospital, where they were pronounced dead.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident. Universal has released a statement expressing their condolences to the guest’s family and stating that they are cooperating fully with the investigation. Stardust Racers has been temporarily closed while the investigation is underway.
Stardust Racers is one of the premier attractions at Epic Universe, which opened in May 2025. The ride features a dual-launch system that propels riders to speeds of up to 62 mph and heights of 133 feet along a 5,000-foot track. The ride also includes an inverted crisscross element known as the "Celestial Spin."
Takeaway: The investigation will focus on determining the cause of the guest’s unresponsiveness and whether any safety protocols were breached. The results of the investigation will likely influence future safety measures and regulations at theme parks.
A guest became unresponsive after riding the Stardust Racers roller coaster and later died at the hospital.
Yes, the ride is temporarily closed pending an investigation.
Universal is cooperating with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office in the investigation and has expressed their condolences to the guest’s family.
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