Credit: Andrew Boardwine, Inside the MagicAnother incident was reported at Epic Universe this week, with guests detailing a medical emergency in the park’s Dark Universe area.
According to guests in Florida’s newest theme park, the incident occurred shortly before Epic Universe closed yesterday (October 14). While exiting one of the land’s spooky attractions, Curse of the Werewolf, they came across Universal team members ushering guests out of the area.
“My friend and I went on Curse of the Werewolf right before the park closed tonight, and they were frantically trying to escort us out to the portal,” they explained (via Reddit). “When I was wondering why, we saw a man on the ground being resuscitated. One of the scariest things I’ve ever witnessed.”
Another guest noted that a mass of medics arrived on the scene, where they were attempting to resuscitate an older guest with a breathing mask and CPR. “I asked a lady watching if the man was okay but apparently he wasn’t breathing and he was also there alone,” they wrote on Reddit. “I didn’t want to crowd the area more than it already was so I went to the tavern but by the bathrooms on the way a mess of security and employees came screaming at everybody to leave towards the back of Dark Universe.”
They added that team members continued to shout and wave flashlights in the faces of other guests. “I hope that man is okay, but the way they were acting made it seem like they needed us out fast and that makes me super worried about that man,” they concluded.
A third guest noted that they were escorted out of the land through an employee exit since medical services were blocking the main exit.
Universal has yet to comment on the incident. In light of the news, some guests have since shared their concerns about the combination of extreme heat and lack of shade at Epic Universe – a recurring complaint since the park opened – and other Florida parks, and the role it may play in medical emergencies.
“These parks do NOT have enough shade and they do NOT have enough places for guests to sit and relax-they’re nothing but concrete cattle shoots,” said one Reddit user. “Makes it all the more galling when they post those promo videos talking about all the CARE and PLANNING that go into making the parks such a magical experience….for the shareholders who demand maximum turnover each day.”
Another wrote, “I got dehydrated my last trip and it can sneak up on you so fast. After my first ride I felt a little off, but Forbidden Journey was a walk on so I figured I’d just do it real quick before getting something. Huge mistake. Never been even slightly motion sick on it before, and suddenly I had to close my eyes for like 90% of it and it was all I could do to keep it together. Got a horrible charlie horse on the way out too. Basically spent the rest of that day recovering and hobbling around instead of doing more rides.”
The Latest Incident to Hit Epic Universe
This incident comes less than a month after a fatal incident occurred on the park’s centerpiece roller coaster, Stardust Racers.
On September 17, 32-year-old Kevin Rodriguez Zavala passed away after riding the coaster. Zavala was found unconscious at the end of the ride, with the cause of death later established to be “multiple blunt impact injuries.”
Stardust Racers has since reopened to guests with the caveat that those using mobility devices, including wheelchairs, must be able to walk independently to experience the attraction. Zavala notably had a pre-existing spinal condition and used a wheelchair, but his family’s attorney, Benjamin Crump, has since insisted that his disability did not cause his death.
Crump has also claimed that other guests allegedly injured by Stardust Racers have come forward since the incident. A woman also filed a separate complaint over an incident on the roller coaster, but a settlement and notice of voluntary dismissal with prejudice were reached by the end of September.
Have you visited Epic Universe yet?