Lawsuit claims man collapsed, died after going on King Kong ride

A family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Universal, claiming a man died after he rode the King Kong ride in 2016.

Jose Calderon Arana collapsed and died shortly after riding the attraction on Dec. 10, 2016 — a few months after Skull Island: Reign of Kong opened at Universal’s Island of Adventure, according to the lawsuit that seeks more than $15,000 filed last week in Orange Circuit Court. The suit doesn’t say where Arana and his family are from.

The lawsuit said that Universal should have known the ride had “the potential for a cardiovascular incident,” but the theme park failed to post warnings in Spanish for tourists who did not speak English.

The lawsuit does not say whether Arana had a previous medical condition or provide more information on what allegedly happened that day.

The medical examiner’s office was notified of his death but did not conduct an autopsy, the office said Tuesday.

No mention of anyone having health problems or dying on the ride appeared on a state report that theme parks are required to file disclosing medical issues that require at least 24 hours of hospitalization. SeaWorld and Disney have disclosed the death of visitors, both who had preexisting conditions, in recent months.

Universal was in compliance with its agreement with the state, company spokesman Tom Schroder said, declining to comment further because of the pending litigation.

The attorney for the Arana family did not respond to an email or a phone message.

The lawsuit also says Universal was negligent by delaying in rendering aid to Arana, but it did not provide details.

The wrongful death lawsuit is filed on behalf of Arana’s wife, Jennifer Dayan Tellez Lopez de Calderon, and their son, Jose Ernesto Calderon Tellez.

They are seeking to recover medical and funeral expenses, lost income as well as the losses for mental pain and suffering.