A man in his 30s tragically died after riding the Stardust Racers rollercoaster at Universal’s Epic Universe theme park in Orlando on Wednesday, September 17. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office reported that the man was found unresponsive after the ride and was rushed to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. The cause of the incident has not yet been revealed.
Epic Universe, which opened in May 2025, is a new addition to Universal Orlando Resort, having cost $7 billion to build. The park, which includes five themed areas and a 500-room hotel, is the first major traditional theme park to open in Florida since Universal’s Islands of Adventure in 1999.
In a statement, Universal expressed its condolences: “Universal is cooperating with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office following a tragic event involving a guest at Epic Universe. The guest became unresponsive after riding Stardust Racers and was transported to the hospital, where the guest later died. We are devastated by this event and extend our sincerest sympathies to the guest’s loved ones.”
The Stardust Racers ride, one of 11 new attractions at the park, is a dual-launch rollercoaster that reaches speeds up to 62 mph and heights of 133 feet. Described as a thrilling ride through space, the attraction will remain closed until the investigation is complete.
The incident has left the park and its visitors shaken, and Universal has pledged full cooperation with the ongoing investigation.
