Diamondback_Is_King Posted September 19 Share Posted September 19 This is not good...very sad and unfortunate https://www.wesh.com/article/stardust-racers-death-epic-universe/67865806 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jzarley Posted September 19 Share Posted September 19 It’s horrible! When I first heard the news this morning, I assumed (as I’m sure a lot of people did) that it may have been someone with an unknown serious health issue that was triggered by the forces of the coaster. I was shocked when the cause of death came back as multiple blunt force trauma. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
disco2000 Posted September 19 Share Posted September 19 Right - what does that mean - was the rider somehow partially out of the restraint (intentionally or a mechanical break-down or body dimensions were such that it didn't fully restrain them) or were they fully restrained and passed out and just the limp body being tossed around while fully restrained and the head hitting the seat or restraints cause this? Based on the restraint system, I am guessing passed out and just the body flinging around caused it - I haven't been on this, could someone hit the seat in front of them if they were passed out? What about the restraints on the seat next to them. And of course their own headrest. And could this result in tight turn looping coasters getting more than just lapbar restraints to prevent this in the future? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jzarley Posted September 19 Share Posted September 19 I don’t think they’re far enough into the investigation to really know yet (or, at least not ready to report any findings). I’ve ridden it 3x and realize that I can’t really remember now what the restraints were like—if I recall, they are an over the head lap restraint (similar to VelociCoaster). I don’t recall anything odd about the spacing between the rows or anything. I read a comment on one story that said he had transferred from a wheelchair into the ride, but I don’t know if that’s true or just something a random person commented on the internet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diamondback_Is_King Posted September 19 Author Share Posted September 19 I've been on this 4 times when I visited, and it was pretty forcefully and you were thrown around a bit. I could see how if someone passed out they could get tossed around a bit. But I would think the restraints would keep you in well enough not to hit multiple parts of the train. To answer @disco2000's questions, the only thing that you could really hit would be the headrest and maybe the side of the seats. I heard that someone said a bolt and some screws came off of the restraint, but who knows if that is true. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robintodd Posted September 19 Share Posted September 19 1 hour ago, Diamondback_Is_King said: I've been on this 4 times when I visited, and it was pretty forcefully and you were thrown around a bit. I could see how if someone passed out they could get tossed around a bit. But I would think the restraints would keep you in well enough not to hit multiple parts of the train. To answer @disco2000's questions, the only thing that you could really hit would be the headrest and maybe the side of the seats. I heard that someone said a bolt and some screws came off of the restraint, but who knows if that is true. Preliminary reports this morning mention a "big piece of metal" in the seat with the man who was passed out. Seemed to be part of the seat? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diamondback_Is_King Posted September 19 Author Share Posted September 19 21 minutes ago, robintodd said: Preliminary reports this morning mention a "big piece of metal" in the seat with the man who was passed out. Seemed to be part of the seat? Maybe the handle on the restraint? Like the thing people hang on to while riding that is on the lap bar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Browntggrr Posted September 23 Share Posted September 23 Horrible incident/ accident for all involved. There is an immense amount of speculation surrounding this. So immense- it's difficult to weed through most of it. The press release from president & COO of Universal Resort was done with empathy to the victim & family and also suggests the ride did not have any failure as described in the YouTube video previously described (which isn't a great shock). Not trying to sound callous- besides the initial coroner's report (which I found to have been released incredibly quick), I wonder if the victim had a medical episode that caused him to lose consciousness allowing is body to simply be limp in the restraint. Mack has also quickly revised their safety requirements for Hyperia at Thorpe park (which has similar seat design/ restraint as SDR): Quote Is Hyperia suitable for guests who are non-ambulant? Non-ambulant guests are not suited to ride due to an updated restriction from the ride manufacturer. https://support.thorpepark.com/hc/en-us/articles/17824942560285-What-are-the-rider-requirements-and-accessibility-information-on-Hyperia Perhaps it was necessary to change the safety requirement but I also hope that the change was not knee-jerk that may eliminate those it wheelchairs from enjoying the ride safely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Losantiville Mining Co. Posted September 23 Share Posted September 23 8 hours ago, Browntggrr said: Perhaps it was necessary to change the safety requirement but I also hope that the change was not knee-jerk that may eliminate those it wheelchairs from enjoying the ride safely. I thought non-ambulant guests were already restricted from most coasters due to an inability to transfer into/out of the seat, were they not? It may depend on who is considered "ambulant" (able to walk/transfer into a seat). I have a feeling this may lead to more restrictions in Europe where their accessibility laws are much looser than here in the US with the Americans with Disabilities Act. I hope Mack Rides is able to further clarify their updated restrictions. Wheelchair users may not entirely be restricted from riding — there are plenty of wheelchair users who can safely and somewhat easily ambulate for short periods — but the aforementioned knee-jerk reaction is often not incredibly thought out. Did anyone else see that this might be opened into a manslaughter case? I can't imagine how that might work, but it's crazy to think about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DispatchMaster Posted September 24 Share Posted September 24 14 hours ago, Losantiville Mining Co. said: Did anyone else see that this might be opened into a manslaughter case? It is a manslaughter investigation, which simply means they're investigating an accidental death. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Browntggrr Posted September 24 Share Posted September 24 18 hours ago, Losantiville Mining Co. said: I thought non-ambulant guests were already restricted from most coasters due to an inability to transfer into/out of the seat, were they not? According to the quote & link I provided from Thorpe website, it is an updated restriction from ride manufacturer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rlentless Posted September 24 Share Posted September 24 First I just want to say I want to be respectful of the victim and his family. What happened was terrible tragedy. I am not an expert but just speculation. I saw his picture and appears to be a paraplegic that required a belt around his waste so to not topple over from his wheelchair of being so top heavy. A paraplegic would have weakened muscle and bone mass. These type of restraints put a lot of pressure on our thigh bones to wedge us in our seats. This ride has incredible amount of airtime with the whipping action ejecting us out of our seats feeling. Thus, putting a lot of pressure on our thigh bones keeping us in those seats. The victim had already ridden 5 or 6 times that day, so his muscles and bones were already fatigued. They said he was on some kind of medicine that could have caused black out. Maybe his blood pressure dropped . . idk. So I think with his legs being already fatigued, him possible being greyed or blacked out, that his thigh bones snapped. A witness suggested they saw broken bones. So he was basically just flopping back and forth whipping over each hill causing the blunt force impacts that led to the outcome. Again, not trying to be an expert . . I am not. But I think this will lead to more restrictions across the board of people being paraplegic and/or of larger size on rides with this amount of force. Or maybe required the vest restraints in special seats. I believe they installed seats to accommodate riders of larger size back in July. What do you think? If any if this seemed disrespectful to anyone, then I apologize. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rlentless Posted September 25 Share Posted September 25 Here is more information from the family's lawyer. The lawyer is pointing to the bar in the front seat is what caused the injuries by the rider hitting his head. The metal bar did not come loose, just the rider not having control to stop himself. Also, earlier reports were wrong about his number of rides on SR . . this was apparently his first ride according to the lawyer. Where Universal might be at fault is if the ride associates helped the rider from his wheelchair to the ride. All safety rules say a rider must get into the seat unassisted to ride. I remember when I rode it the ride associates took it very seriously. We had to empty everything from our pockets, I even had someone ask me about a tissue I had in my front pocket. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Browntggrr Posted September 26 Share Posted September 26 Another lawsuit has been filed with concerns about SDR. It does not appear or mention in the article the claimant had any medical records concerning the head injuries after riding during preview soft opening on April 30th. https://www.wesh.com/article/woman-claims-injured-same-epic-universe-ride-man-unresponsive-later-dies/68062084 I am all for safety & have empathy for her if it is a true injury, but, if there are no medical records of the incident from her or filing a incident report of potential injury within 24 hours of riding? And this is only reported after a horrible fatality? Interesting...... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnjniehaus Posted September 26 Share Posted September 26 3 hours ago, Browntggrr said: Another lawsuit has been filed with concerns about SDR. It does not appear or mention in the article the claimant had any medical records concerning the head injuries after riding during preview soft opening on April 30th. https://www.wesh.com/article/woman-claims-injured-same-epic-universe-ride-man-unresponsive-later-dies/68062084 I am all for safety & have empathy for her if it is a true injury, but, if there are no medical records of the incident from her or filing a incident report of potential injury within 24 hours of riding? And this is only reported after a horrible fatality? Interesting...... We're about to have SoB all over again. I don't wanna cast doubt on the woman if she really did get hurt but why are we just now hearing about it? There is unfortunately a trend in the amusement park industry that as soon as someone hears "free money" they all decide to get involved and try and get a piece of the pie. Again if you didn't seek first aid or go to a hospital, I don't think you should be entitled to anything. Just my opinion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RollerColt Posted September 26 Share Posted September 26 Really unfortunate what happened. But I think Stardust being classified as "intense" is a bit much. It's one of the best rides I've ever been on, but I wouldn't put it into even the top 10 of most intense roller coasters I've ridden... I've received headaches from plenty of rides in the past, including Invertigo and Vortex. But it never crossed my mind to sue the park... Not even sure how that woman is going to be able to prove her injury with how long ago it happened. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RollerColt Posted 11 hours ago Share Posted 11 hours ago https://www.fox35orlando.com/news/universal-orlando-ceo-stardust-racers-epic-universe-opening-date.amp Stardust Racers will reopen as soon as tomorrow. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantom Theater Posted 10 hours ago Share Posted 10 hours ago 56 minutes ago, RollerColt said: https://www.fox35orlando.com/news/universal-orlando-ceo-stardust-racers-epic-universe-opening-date.amp Stardust Racers will reopen as soon as tomorrow. Did not expect this!! I really thought it would be down for a couple months at least. I'll be there 10/8! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RollerColt Posted 6 hours ago Share Posted 6 hours ago 4 hours ago, Phantom Theater said: Did not expect this!! I really thought it would be down for a couple months at least. I'll be there 10/8! Sounds like they updated their warning signs. If they’re reopening so soon I imagine they’re pretty confident in defending the allegations against them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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