Parkgoers death on roller coaster at Universal Orlando Resort ruled accidental

The death of a 32-year-old man after riding a high-speed roller coaster at the Universal Epic Universe theme park was accidental, and an investigation has been closed, according to a Florida sheriff’s office report released this week.Meanwhile, a medical examiner’s report released Friday showed that the left side of Kevin Rodriguez Zavala’s forehead had a deep gash, and the bony ridge above his eye was fractured.He had bleeding above his skull, bruises on his abdomen and arms, and his nose and right thigh bone were fractured, the medical examiner’s report said.The medical examiner in Orlando previously had ruled the death an accident, saying Zavala died of blunt-impact injuries.The investigative report by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office in Orlando said that workers at Epic Universe followed procedures and weren’t careless or neglectful.Epic Universe is the newest theme park at Universal Orlando Resort.Security video showed Zavala “engaged and well” at the start of the ride but unresponsive and slouched over in his seat at the end, according to the sheriff’s office report.When the ride came to a stop, Zavala was bleeding from the face, and his body was slumped over, according to witnesses.Anna Marshall, a medical doctor who was standing in line to board the ride, said Zavala was slouched over and surrounded by blood when the coaster returned to the boarding platform.His arm was hanging over the ride, and his thigh bone was broken in half and resting on the back of the ride chair, she told investigators.Zavala used a wheelchair.As Marshall rendered aid, Zavala’s girlfriend, Javiliz Cruz-Robles, who was beside him on the ride, told the doctor that he had metal rods in his back from a previous spinal surgery.“Dr.

Marshall explained that she did not believe that just because Kevin Rodriguez-Zavala didn’t have use of his legs that that was the sole reason why this occurred,” the report said.Zavala’s family said the condition leading to hi...