Man Dies After Losing Consciousness on Stardust Racers Ride at Universal’s Epic Universe

A man in his 30s died Wednesday night after becoming unresponsive while riding the Stardust Racers roller coaster at Universal’s newly opened Epic Universe theme park in Orlando, Florida. The incident occurred just four months after the park’s grand opening. The guest was transported to a hospital where he was later pronounced dead, though his identity has not been released.

Universal Orlando Resorts confirmed the incident and issued a public statement expressing sympathy to the guest’s loved ones, while also noting their cooperation with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, which is actively investigating. As a precaution, the Stardust Racers attraction has been closed pending the outcome of the investigation.

While fatalities at modern theme parks are rare, they do occur. Fixed-site amusement parks like Universal Orlando are exempt from state inspections but must self-report serious injuries. This incident marks one of several recent injuries reported at Epic Universe in 2025. Experts continue to emphasize that while ride technology and regulations have advanced, guest health conditions and unforeseen complications can still lead to tragic outcomes.

Theme park safety remains a priority, and incidents like this typically prompt internal reviews of safety protocols, operator procedures, and medical response timelines. It is not yet known whether pre-existing conditions or ride malfunction contributed to the man’s death.