At this year's International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) Expo, the CEO of Mack Rides finally addressed the incident at Epic Universe that occurred in September.
Epic Universe Tragedy Still Shocks Theme Park Industry 2 Months Later
The excitement of IAAPA 2025 was palpable—screams of anticipation, flashes from cameras, and industry leaders unveiling their boldest attractions. Yet amid the fanfare, a somber note cut through the crowd, leaving even seasoned theme-park professionals momentarily silent. What could cause such a pause at the world’s largest amusement-park expo?
It wasn’t a new ride announcement. It wasn’t a record-breaking coaster. It was something far more serious—and personal for one of the industry’s leading manufacturers.
Mack Rides at the Center of Attention
Mack Rides, the German company behind some of the most innovative and reliable rides in the world, brought its usual energy to the Orange County Convention Center on November 18, 2025. CEO Christian von Elverfeldt sat down for an exclusive interview with WESH 2 News, eager to discuss the company’s next big project—a ride that promises to push the boundaries of thrill engineering.
Yet as the conversation began, the discussion quickly shifted from future attractions to a tragedy that had shaken the Orlando theme-park community just two months earlier.
The Tragic Day at Epic Universe
On September 17, 2025, 32-year-old Kevin Rodriguez Zavala boarded Stardust Racers, a racing coaster at Universal Orlando Resort’s Epic Universe, manufactured by Mack Rides. What was meant to be a day of fun ended in heartbreak when Rodriguez Zavala was later pronounced dead at the hospital from multiple blunt-force impact injuries, according to the medical examiner.
Until recently, Mack Rides had remained silent publicly on the incident, leaving a void filled by speculation and concern. That silence was broken at IAAPA.
First Public Comments from Mack Rides
Von Elverfeldt offered condolences to Rodriguez Zavala’s family while also clarifying the company’s stance on the ride’s operation.
“I’m really sorry for this poor family and guy,” he said. “But we don’t know yet what really happened. We only know that the ride worked very well.”
He reinforced that findings from specialists and investigators confirmed the coaster’s systems functioned as designed.
“All the specialists said the ride worked perfectly,” he added.
The CEO’s statements underscored both the company’s engineering rigor and the challenge of addressing tragic incidents in a high-stakes, high-visibility industry.
Safety as a Core Value
When pressed about safety standards across Mack Rides attractions worldwide, von Elverfeldt emphasized the human element behind every ride.
“Safety is, of course, the most important thing because there are human beings on our rides—maybe 12 months, 10 hours a day. So, this is most important for us.”
These words highlight a crucial but often overlooked truth: in an industry defined by thrills, human lives are always at the center of every design and operational decision.
Reopening and Policy Changes
Despite the family’s request to keep Stardust Racers closed, Universal Orlando Resort reopened the attraction on October 4. The resort confirmed that its team followed proper safety procedures and that the coaster operated as intended.
In response to the incident, Universal also updated rider requirements. These changes, though procedural, reflect the ongoing evaluation of safety policies and the importance of adjusting guidelines when serious events occur.
The Broader Implications for the Industry
While this moment at IAAPA was undeniably somber, it also offers a glimpse into how the amusement-park industry balances innovation, safety, and public accountability. For Mack Rides, it was an opportunity to speak openly about tragedy, reaffirm the company’s commitment to guest safety, and demonstrate that learning from incidents is as important as creating the next big thrill.
For guests and enthusiasts, it’s a reminder that behind every record-breaking ride, there is meticulous planning, precise engineering, and a constant commitment to safety—even in moments when the stakes are heartbreakingly human.
As the industry looks toward the future of theme-park attractions, one question lingers: how will lessons from Stardust Racers shape the rides and safety measures of tomorrow?
