Man dies after riding one of America's newest roller coasters
A visitor to a new Florida theme park has died after riding one of its on-site roller coasters.
The man, understood to have been in his 30s, had arrived at Epic Universe on Wednesday (17 September).
The park - which boasts five themed sections and a 500-room hotel - opened back in May, making it the first major amusement facility to be introduced in the state since 1999. That year saw Universal Islands of Adventure debut, which was closely followed by Universal's opening of Volcano Bay, a themed Orlando water park, in 2017.
The Orange County Sheriff's Office in Orlando later told The Associated Press (as cited by ABC) that the unnamed individual involved in this week's tragic incident had been found unresponsive after riding a coaster named 'Stardust Racers'.
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The ride is described as 'a breathtaking, dual-launch coaster reaching incredible speeds up to 62 mph (100 kph)'.
Its official description continues: "Board a comet and rocket to the furthest reaches of the stars, at heights up to 133 feet along 5,000 feet of track. Race along an inverted crisscross, known as the 'Celestial Spin' in a dazzling display of blazing colours and ethereal music."
Despite being rushed to hospital by park staff, the man was sadly pronounced dead.
A spokesperson for Universal Orlando Resorts has released a statement.
"We are devastated by this tragic event and extend our sincerest sympathies to the guest’s loved ones," it read. "We are fully cooperating with Orange County and the ongoing investigation. The attraction remains closed."
The circumstances surrounding the man's death are currently unknown and under investigation.
Since its opening Epic Universe has seen three reports filed on injuries or health issues sustained while inside the park.
The month that the facility opened, another man, 63 - who had a preexisting condition - experienced dizziness, as well as 'an altered state of consciousness' while on one of the rides.
Also in May, a woman, 47 - who also had a preexisting condition - endured a 'visual disturbance' on the 'Stardust Racers' coaster.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services previously informed press that a third visitor, a 32-year-old man, had experienced chest pains while riding the park's 'Hiccup’s Wing Gliders'.
Unlike smaller amusement facilities, Florida's largest theme parks conduct their own health and safety inspections and are exempt from those conducted by the state. That said, however, reports of injuries or deaths must be reported to local authorities.
Earlier this year, dozens of these reports were filed by Disney World, Universal and SeaWorld Orlando, ranging from one woman, 78, becoming unresponsive on a carousel, to another, 87, losing consciousness on a Dinosaur-themed ride.
Rhianna Benson