by Lacey Pfalz
Last updated: 8:45 AM ET, Thu September 18, 2025
A person who rode Universal Orlando Resorts’ newest roller coaster, the dual-launch Stardust Racers at its newest park, Universal Epic Universe, has died after becoming unresponsive in the middle of the ride, according to park officials.
ABC News first covered the news, which they say occurred on the night of September 17. The person, whose identity has not been revealed, went unresponsive in the middle of the ride, and was taken to the hospital, where they were later pronounced deceased.
Stardust Racers has closed, and will not operate while the investigation is ongoing. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation.
“We are devastated by this event and extend our sincerest sympathies to the guest’s loved ones,” Universal Orlando Resorts told ABC. “We are fully committed to cooperating with this ongoing investigation.”
It’s unclear whether the person had a health emergency while in the middle of the ride, or if the ride caused an injury resulting in death. Either way, the incident has cast a pall over the new park, which opened this May.
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