Man Dies on Roller Coaster at Universal’s Epic Universe in Orlando

A man died after riding a roller coaster at Universal’s Epic Universe in Orlando, Florida. The incident happened on Wednesday, September 17, on the Stardust Racers ride. The man became unresponsive during the ride. He was taken to a hospital but did not survive. Authorities confirmed he was in his 30s.

Universal Orlando issued a statement after the death. The company said they were “devastated by this tragic event” and expressed sympathy for the man’s family. They also confirmed the ride has been shut down while an investigation is underway. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office is leading the review of the case.

Man Dies Roller Coaster Epic Universe: What We Know

The Stardust Racers is one of the newest rides in Epic Universe. It opened in May 2025 when the park officially welcomed guests. The roller coaster is designed as a dueling ride, where two tracks run side by side. Riders reach speeds of up to 62 mph and heights of 133 feet. The track stretches nearly 5,000 feet across the Celestial Park section.

According to reports from Reuters and other outlets, the man showed no response at the end of the ride. Emergency crews rushed him to a nearby hospital. Doctors could not save him. His name has not been released. Officials say the investigation is still in its early stages. No cause of death has been confirmed.

Universal said it is working closely with investigators. The company stressed that safety remains its top priority. Until the case is clear, Stardust Racers will remain closed to the public.

Safety Concerns and Theme Park Impact

Roller coasters are popular attractions but accidents are rare. Modern rides go through strict safety checks before opening. Universal’s Epic Universe cost over $7 billion to build and is seen as a major expansion in Orlando’s theme park industry. The park features five distinct lands and is meant to compete directly with Disney.

This death has drawn wide attention because Epic Universe is brand new. Many visitors had praised Stardust Racers as one of the highlights of the park. Now the incident raises questions about rider safety and emergency response. For families and fans, the tragedy is a reminder of the risks that can happen even on modern rides.

The man dies roller coaster Epic Universe case is still under review. Authorities will share more once the cause of death is known. Universal has promised full cooperation and extended condolences to the family.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: Where did the man die on the roller coaster?

The man died after riding Stardust Racers at Universal’s Epic Universe in Orlando, Florida. He became unresponsive on September 17, 2025.

Q2: What is the Stardust Racers ride?

Stardust Racers is a dueling roller coaster in Celestial Park. It reaches speeds of 62 mph, goes up to 133 feet, and has 5,000 feet of track.

Q3: When did Universal’s Epic Universe open?

The park officially opened in May 2025. It is Universal’s first new theme park in Orlando in decades.

Q4: Who is investigating the death?

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation. Universal is cooperating fully with the authorities.

Q5: Is the ride still open?

No. Universal has confirmed Stardust Racers is closed until further notice. The reopening date is not known yet.