Death on high-speed roller coaster in Florida deemed accidental

Key Highlights

• Additional injuries included bruises on his arms and abdomen, a broken nose and a fractured right thigh bone. The Orlando medical examiner had already determined Zavala’s death was the result of blunt-impact trauma.
• Investigators from the Orange county sheriff’s office found that Epic Universe employees followed all safety procedures and were not negligent in what was deemed an accident. Epic Universe is Universal Orlando Resort’s newest theme park. Security footage captured Zavala appearing “engaged and well” when the ride at the park began – but at its conclusion, he was slumped and unresponsive, the sheriff’s report said. Kevin Rodriguez Zavala.
• witter/XWitnesses described seeing Zavala bleeding from his face and leaning over in his seat once the coaster stopped.
• Anna Marshall, a physician waiting in line for the ride, told investigators that Zavala appeared “slouched over and surrounded by blood” as the coaster returned to the platform.
• She said one of his arms dangled over the side and that his thigh bone “was broken in half and resting on the back of the ride chair”. Marshall assisted Zavala, who used a wheelchair, after the incident.