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Man who rode Universal Epic Universe roller coaster becomes unresponsive, dies

By
Brian Dakss
Senior Editor
Brian Dakss is a longtime New York-based editor and writer for CBS News, at the Radio network and with CBSNews.com. He has written and edited for NBC News, Dow Jones and numerous radio stations and been a radio anchor and reporter.
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Brian Dakss

/ CBS News

A man became unresponsive and later died after riding a roller coaster at Universal's new Epic Universe theme park in Orlando, Florida, Wednesday night, authorities and the company said.

A Universal spokesperson said in a statement to CBS News that a guest, later identified by the Orange County Sheriff's Office as 32-year-old Kevin Rodriguez Zavala, "was unresponsive after riding Stardust Racers and was transported to the hospital," where the person later died.

"We are devastated by this tragic event and extend our sincerest sympathies to the guest's loved ones. We are fully cooperating with Orange County and the ongoing investigation."

The ride is still closed, the spokesperson said.

Epic Universe was the first major theme park to open in Florida in more than 25 years when it welcomed visitors just before Memorial Day weekend and is expected to ramp up competition with Walt Disney World Resort, a fixture in Orlando since 1971.

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