Entertainment
Disability played no role in man’s death after riding Universal roller coaster, lawyers say
Lawyers representing the family of a 32-year-old man who died after riding on a Universal Orlando Resort roller coaster said he likely died as a result of an injury incurred during the ride and that his disability played no role in his death.
Kevin Rodriguez Zavala, who had a spinal disability and used a wheelchair, became unresponsive while on the coaster last week at the recently opened Epic Universe theme park in Florida. He was transported to a local hospital and later died.
Attorneys for Zavala’s family said Monday they believe he hit his head on a restraint during the coaster’s downward thrusts and that he was unconscious for most of the ride. He had no medical issues before boarding the ride, they said.
Natalie Jackson, another of the family’s attorneys, said they believe Zavala suffered repeated head strikes based on what witnesses have said. “His disability did not kill him,” Jackson said. “It was the blunt force trauma.”
The medical examiner for the Orlando area ruled the cause of death as multiple blunt impact injuries and said the manner of death was an accident.
At a news conference in Orlando, the lawyers also took issue with a top Universal executive last weekend saying in a note to employees that “internal findings” showed the ride worked as it should have.
“They are quick to say that, ‘Well, the ride functioned as it was supposed to. Everything works properly.’ Well, just because it didn’t malfunction does not lead us to believe that there were not safety issues because we know something caused him to die,” said famed civil rights attorney Ben Crump, whose law firm is representing the family.
Karen Irwin, Universal Orlando Resort’s president, said in her note that the internal findings showed ride systems functioned normally, equipment was intact and Universal workers followed the proper procedures. Investigators with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services said on September 19 that their initial findings align with that of the theme park.
The roller coaster remains closed as Universal conducts a comprehensive review of the ride with its manufacturer.
“Safety is, and always will be, at the forefront of everything we do,” Irwin said.
The ride involved in Zavala’s death, called Stardust Racers, is a dual-launch coaster that reaches speeds up to 62 mph.
Epic Universe was the first major theme park to open in Florida in more than 25 years when it welcomed visitors just before Memorial Day weekend
Popular American rapper J.I.D., whose real name is Destin Choice Route, is super excited to get featured on Jill Scott’s latest album.
Shortly after Scott, 53, released her sixth studio album, titled To Whom This May Concern, on February 13, the 35-year-old musician took to his Instagram Stories to express his excitement over their collaboration.
Out of the three-time Grammy winner’s 19-track project, the duo made one song together, named To B Honest.
“Nahhhhh hold the f— up!!!! Ms.Jilly&J.I.D I’m fina lose my mind!!!” the Atlanta-born and raised artist wrote over a screenshot of the lyrics. “She is my whole heart!!!!@missjillscott.”
“Lemme be [red heart, crown and strong emoji],” he added.
Although JID is not yet a mainstream household name, he is highly popular within the hip-hop community, widely recognised as a top-tier lyricist and one of the best of his generation.
Interestingly, To Whom It May Concern marked Scott’s return to the music scene as it is her first full length project in more than a decade.
The R&B star gave long-suffering fans the news they’d been waiting for, the announcement of new music, by way of a social post on January 2.
To Whom It May Concern tracklist
Dope Shit (feat. Maha Adachi Earth)
Be Great (feat. Trombone Shorty)
Beautiful People
Offdaback
Norf Side (feat. Tierra Whack)
Disclaimer
Pay U on Tuesday
Pressha
BPOTY (feat. Too $hort)
Me 4
The Math
A Universe
Liftin’ Me Up
Ode to Nikki (feat. Ab-Soul)
Don’t Play
To B Honest
Right Here Right Now
Àṣẹ
Sincerely Do
The royal family’s worries are far from over even after releasing a clear statement about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and the ongoing police investigation about his alleged crimes.
King Charles has been so far heckled on two different occasions, Camilla recently avoided a reporter’s question about the Epstein investigation and Prince William also seemed to have ignored when a reporter heckled him earlier this week in Saudi Arabia.
Critics believe that it is an error in judgement for the royals who continue to shield the disgraced former Duke of York.
In the midst of these crisis, the royal family is urged to be “more open and honest” about the allegations about the ex-prince Andrew that have emerged in the Epstein files released by the US Department of Justice.
According to the Graham Smith, CEO of Republic, stressed that the royals should acknowledge the “serious problems” that involve Andrew and the police should “feel free to investigate and go where the evidence leads, without repercussions from them”.
He told GB News that being open about the dire situation is the “bare minimum you would expect for anybody, let alone the head of state”.
Graham emphasised that there should be “no expectation of favourable treatment from the police” and the royals should be “subjected to the same laws as everyone else”.
The royals should provide an update on the matter as the investigation progresses so the public can trust them.
The police should have “free access to whatever documents they want, and they will publicly share, like what the US authorities are doing and put whatever they can into the public domain willingly”.
The renewed demands come after Buckingham Palace released a statement from the King on February 9, stating that the monarch “made clear, in words and through unprecedented actions, his profound concern at allegations which continue to come to light in respect of Mr Mountbatten-Windsor’s conduct”.
It noted that if the Palace is “approached by Thames Valley Police we stand ready to support them as you would expect”.
Jacob Elordi gave fans very different look from his brooding Heathcliff persona when he arrived at Brisbane Airport on Saturday.
The 28-year-old actor was seen walking through the terminal while raising his middle finger, a bold gesture that stunned people there.
Jacob stood out in a bright mustard-yellow jacket covered in flowers and graphics, paired with jeans and dark sunglasses.
He carried a bag casually as he walked but it was his bold gesture that made the moment unforgettable.
It was a far cry from the serious, gothic look he’s been showing on the Wuthering Heights press tour with Margot Robbie.
In the film, the Euphoria star plays the brooding Heathcliff while the Barbie actress stars as Catherine Earnshaw.
At the Sydney premiere earlier this week, Jacob revealed that he added a gold tooth to his look for Heathcliff’s transformation.
Margot wowed in a flowing ivory gown with a fitted corset and soft tulle skirt that moved gracefully with every step.
Fans, however, have noticed the chemistry between Jacob and Margot, and he also recently admitted that he stayed close to her on set, watching her every move.
Wuthering Heights hits cinemas on February 13, giving audiences both gothic romance and a peek at Jacob’s more playful, unpredictable side.
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