A man died at the new Universal theme park in Orlando after becoming unresponsive following a ride on a roller coaster on Wednesday night, the authorities said on Thursday.
The man was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead there, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.
He had taken a ride at Epic Universe on Stardust Racers, the longest roller coaster that Universal has ever built. Epic Universe opened four months ago, the first major new theme park to open in Central Florida in 26 years.
The coaster, which has dueling trains that drop and spiral in a tight space, reaches 62 m.p.h. and aims to make passengers feel as if they are riding a comet.
The park was open on Thursday, but the Stardust Racers coaster remained closed.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office said Thursday morning that it had begun an investigation into the death of the rider, who has not been identified. Universal said that it was fully cooperating with the inquiry.
“We are devastated by this event and extend our sincerest sympathies to the guest’s loved ones,” Universal said in a statement.
Stardust Racers has quickly become a main attraction at the $7 billion theme park, which includes five themed sections and a 500-room hotel. The coaster reaches as high as 133 feet while traveling along 5,000 feet of track. The twin tracks are an unusual roller coaster feature, taking riders on distinct journeys while intertwining with one another along the way.
Universal describes the dueling trains as racing “along an inverted crisscross, known as the ‘Celestial Spin’ in a dazzling display of blazing colors and ethereal music.”
Adeel Hassan, a New York-based reporter for The Times, covers breaking news and other topics.
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