Universal's Epic Universe - News and Discussion

[AnnaKristoff2013]

The assumption is he passed out and it was the swaying back and forth of the ride that caused him to be knocked around in the seat. Because your head is not pinned in there would be room to hit back and forth.

That alone should not be enough. People pass out on rides all the time. They are engineered so that you don't die when you do so. This was also not a new or unique restraint/vehicle system, as far as I know.

 

[sherlockmiles]

I see that Portofino still includes express. I know Helios doesnt include EP for EPIC, but does it include it for the other 2 parks?

 

[Rory607]

That alone should not be enough. People pass out on rides all the time. They are engineered so that you don't die when you do so. This was also not a new or unique restraint/vehicle system, as far as I know.

This is what I keep thinking. I personally don’t do coasters due to anxiety and motion sickness, but I’ve heard of people passing out on them. It seems like the restraint system should not allow for this to happen. I know there are warnings and you ride at your own risk, but it makes a huge difference depending on whether something else hit him in a freak accident or it was just due to him being unconscious and his head moving around.

 

[Jessem1133]

I see that Portofino still includes express. I know Helios doesnt include EP for EPIC, but does it include it for the other 2 parks?

Helios does not include any Express

 

[Lewisc]

I see that Portofino still includes express. I know Helios doesnt include EP for EPIC, but does it include it for the other 2 parks?

NO. Hotel Express is grandfathered to the first 3 hotels and the 1st 2 parks.

 

[sherlockmiles]

Thank you! SO additional cost for EPIC and additional cost at Helios for original parks.
Much appreciated.

 

[AnnaKristoff2013]

This is what I keep thinking. I personally don’t do coasters due to anxiety and motion sickness, but I’ve heard of people passing out on them. It seems like the restraint system should not allow for this to happen. I know there are warnings and you ride at your own risk, but it makes a huge difference depending on whether something else hit him in a freak accident or it was just due to him being unconscious and his head moving around.

It's all speculation, but there have to be multiple things at play if him being unconscious contributed to this. Velocicoaster has been operational for years now and has a similar restraint system, and I bet people pass out on that ride on at least a weekly basis. These rides are also tested with dummies that simulate real people, including an unconscious person.

It looks like he was also wheelchair-bound. Is it possible that him being uncoscious plus some sort of pre-existing condition was enough for this to occur? Maybe, but with a COD of blunt force trauma that also seems unlikely to have been what happened here. Unconsciousness might have contributed to whatever happened here, or been part of the event, but something else also had to be involved.

 

[sherlockmiles]

Maybe we should all just wait and hear the facts from the investigations.

 

[georgina]

Maybe we should all just wait and hear the facts from the investigations.

Agree. But it wouldn't be the DIS without wild speculation.

My first trip to Epic will be in December and I hope but doubt it will reopen by then.

 

[AnnaKristoff2013]

Maybe we should all just wait and hear the facts from the investigations.

I do think it's worth pointing out to people that passing out on a roller coaster doesn't mean that you die, and that modern roller coasters are engineered to account for this (common) occurrence.

I'm not speculating on what caused the death. I have no idea what caused the death (other than blunt force trauma). I'm pointing out that people don't need to suddenly fear dying on roller coasters that are similar to this one because they might pass out.

 

[Lewisc]

Thank you! SO additional cost for EPIC and additional cost at Helios for original parks.
Much appreciated.

Or do split stay.

 

[greeneyedchick]

When I heard that it was blunt force trauma, the first thing I thought of was someone's shoe or phone flying off and hitting the person. The article I read did say that Universal has metal detectors to ensure that people really do empty their pockets, so I guess this is less likely. But is it possible that something broke off the track or the ride vehicle that could have hit him? I haven't read a bunch of articles to see if anyone on the ground saw something while waiting in line. My friend lost the external piece of her cochlear implant on the launch sequence of the Hulk coaster. I don't think something like that would be enough to hurt someone, but I think a falling object could be a possible cause.

 

[Tom_E_D]

THis was probably mentioned here and I just missed it, but just in case.........it looks like starting at the end of May, 2026 "

• If traveling in 2026 includes admission ticket to move freely between all 4 Universal Theme Parks

I don't remember seeing this anywhere. What's the source you're quoting?

 

[sherlockmiles]

I don't remember seeing this anywhere. What's the source you're quoting?

From the universal website. I was starting to quote our 2026 trip. I looked under 'vacation packages' and was comparing march and november dates. I closed the window but I'll try to find it again.......

 

[sherlockmiles]

https://www.universalorlando.com/web-packages/en/us/vacation-packages

 

[Tom_E_D]

From the universal website. I was starting to quote our 2026 trip. I looked under 'vacation packages' and was comparing march and november dates. I closed the window but I'll try to find it again.......

Thanks for the reply. Looking at it, I don't think the change is starting May 2026. I think it starts January 2026. The May date given for going is May 22, 2025.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

Look more closely at the dates - you can book a package now - Dec 2026, and go May 2025 through Dec 2026. All 2026 tickets would include the ability to move freely between the 4 parks. Not starting May 2026.


Edit - Jinx w/ @Tom_E_D

 

[DaviVascaino]

About the horrible coaster accident... I have read that someone saw a "metal thing" hanging ? Could that have been the cause, something dislodged and hit the rider?

It is all very tragic, witnesses said his T-shirt was bloody, so something hit him.

Also he was wheelchair bound, so maybe this specific coaster is not safe for paraplegics? Like he could not restrain himself properly due to lack of lower extremities movements?

Too many questions that need to be answered by the authorities ASAP.

Probably they won't open the coaster back up anytime soon, but if they do, and if you are wheelchair bound, please be careful.

So tragic

 

[DanBoris]

When I heard that it was blunt force trauma, the first thing I thought of was someone's shoe or phone flying off and hitting the person. The article I read did say that Universal has metal detectors to ensure that people really do empty their pockets, so I guess this is less likely. But is it possible that something broke off the track or the ride vehicle that could have hit him? I haven't read a bunch of articles to see if anyone on the ground saw something while waiting in line. My friend lost the external piece of her cochlear implant on the launch sequence of the Hulk coaster. I don't think something like that would be enough to hurt someone, but I think a falling object could be a possible cause.

The medical examiner said the cause of death was "multiple blunt impact injuries" which makes being hit by an object from outside the ride vehicle unlikely.

 

[tx911]

I do think it's worth pointing out to people that passing out on a roller coaster doesn't mean that you die, and that modern roller coasters are engineered to account for this (common) occurrence.

I'm not speculating on what caused the death. I have no idea what caused the death (other than blunt force trauma). I'm pointing out that people don't need to suddenly fear dying on roller coasters that are similar to this one because they might pass out.

Do we know what the underlying condition was?