Tragedy Strikes at Universal Orlando: Elderly Woman’s Death Raises Safety Concerns

In a heartbreaking incident that has cast a shadow over one of America’s most popular theme parks, 70-year-old Ma de la Luz Mejia Rosas lost her life following what was meant to be a joyful family outing at Universal Orlando Resort. According to recently released reports, Rosas became unresponsive while riding the indoor “Revenge of the Mummy” roller coaster on November 25, 2025. What began as a day of creating precious memories with her children and grandchildren turned tragic when she lost consciousness on the attraction. Despite being rushed to a nearby hospital, Rosas died on December 9 at Orlando Regional Medical Center, with medical examiners determining that a ruptured aneurysm without trauma was the cause of death. This devastating loss has left a family in mourning and has raised serious questions about theme park safety, particularly for elderly visitors.

Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who has now been retained by Rosas’s family, issued a statement expressing their grief and determination to find answers. “Mrs. Rosas went to the park to enjoy time with her children and grandchildren, expecting a safe and joyful experience. Instead, her family is now left grieving and searching for answers,” Crump stated. The attorney, who has become known for handling high-profile cases, promised to “thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding this tragedy and ensure her family’s voice is heard.” The indoor “Revenge of the Mummy” roller coaster, inspired by the popular film franchise, reaches speeds of up to 45 mph and has been a fixture at Universal Orlando since 2004. However, this incident has brought renewed scrutiny to the attraction’s safety record.

Perhaps most concerning are the findings from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) report, which revealed that there have been 21 reported incidents on the “Revenge of the Mummy” ride since its opening. These incidents range from relatively minor complaints like nausea and dizziness to more serious medical emergencies including a seizure and a vertebra fracture. Universal Orlando, like other major theme parks in Florida that employ full-time safety inspectors, is required to self-report incidents as they are exempt from state inspections. The same FDACS report noted that during the October-to-December 2025 period, Walt Disney World reported six health-related incidents, while other major Florida parks including SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, and Legoland reported none. This disparity in incident rates across different parks raises questions about varying safety standards and protocols within the industry.

Tragically, Rosas’s death is not an isolated incident at Universal Orlando in recent months. In September of the same year, 32-year-old Kevin Rodriguez Zavala died after becoming unresponsive on the “Stardust Racers” roller coaster at Universal’s newest park, Epic Universe. Medical authorities determined that Zavala suffered multiple blunt force injuries before succumbing to his injuries at a hospital. The case drew significant attention when attorneys for Zavala’s family alleged that Universal had ignored “multiple” warning signs before his death, suggesting that the incident was not “isolated” and that other riders had reported similar injuries on the same attraction. Notably, Ben Crump also represented Zavala’s family in that case, which reportedly reached an amicable but confidential resolution with Universal in the weeks before Rosas’s incident.

These consecutive tragedies have intensified scrutiny of theme park safety practices nationwide, coming on the heels of other high-profile incidents across the country. In Colorado, for instance, a jury recently awarded $205 million to the family of a 6-year-old who fell to death from a theme park ride, underscoring the potential legal consequences for parks when safety lapses occur. In Texas, riders were trapped more than 100 feet in the air after a roller coaster malfunctioned, while at Disney World, a cast member was injured when a massive boulder prop veered off track during the Indiana Jones Stunt Show. Each incident contributes to a growing conversation about whether current safety regulations and oversight mechanisms are sufficient to protect visitors, especially those who may be more vulnerable due to age or pre-existing health conditions.

For families like those of Ma de la Luz Mejia Rosas, the pain extends far beyond statistics and safety reports. What began as a cherished family outing turned into an unimaginable nightmare that will forever alter the lives of her loved ones. As they navigate their grief, they join a growing number of families advocating for enhanced safety measures at amusement parks. These tragedies raise important questions about how parks assess risk for riders with various health profiles, whether adequate warnings are provided about potential dangers, and if emergency response protocols are sufficient when medical emergencies occur. While theme parks like Universal Orlando continue to attract millions of visitors seeking thrills and entertainment each year, these incidents serve as sobering reminders that behind the magic and excitement, safety must remain the paramount concern. For now, as investigations continue, Rosas’s family—like others before them—wait for answers and accountability, hoping their loss might prevent similar tragedies in the future.