The family of a man who tragically died after losing consciousness on a roller coaster at Epic Universe in Orlando is speaking out for the first time.
Kevin Rodriguez Zavala, 32, was found unresponsive after riding the Stardust Racers roller coaster at the recently opened theme park on Wednesday, Sept. 17. He was taken to a hospital following the incident, where he was pronounced dead.
Orange-Osceola Chief Medical Examiner Joshua Stephany previously reported that Kevin died from “multiple blunt impact injuries.”
According to Good Morning America, Kevin had spinal cord atrophy and used a wheelchair. He was riding in the front seat of the last section of the roller coaster when he became unconscious.
Speaking with GMA, Kevin’s family said they are still searching for answers as they cope with the devastating loss.
“It’s like a nightmare. I’m still waiting to wake up,” sister Lisa Cruz Rodriguez said.
“It is so difficult because I have no idea what happened there. And now, I don’t have my kid,” added father Carlos Rodriguez Zavala.
Lisa recalled receiving a call from her brother the morning of his death. She remembered him being “excited for the whole day” and noted that he had enjoyed other rides prior to boarding Stardust Racers.
“He didn’t have limits,” Lisa explained to Good Morning America. “My mom made sure that this child with his condition would have no limits.”
Carlos said he was informed that his son had been “hitting his head back and forth” while unconscious on the ride.
An internal memo to employees reportedly stated that the ride “functioned as intended” and that team members “followed procedures” during the incident, according to GMA.
Attorney Ben Crump, representing Kevin’s family, said that while the ride may not have malfunctioned, there could still have been safety concerns.
“We just want it to be safer so everybody can enjoy it and not have to go through this again,” Lisa said.
Crump’s office and Universal Orlando Resort did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
More than $28,000 has been raised through a GoFundMe campaign started for Kevin’s family.
