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Cobb County Police Department officials said one guest died and several more sustained injuries in an afternoon incident at the Six Flags Over Georgia amusement park located about 15 miles northwest of Atlanta. Witnesses described seeing a man become detached from his restraint on the Goliath hypercoaster with some accounts indicating he struck parts of the ride three times before landing. The park’s Major Crimes Unit has taken over the investigation to determine the precise circumstances surrounding the fatality according to statements from authorities.
Aerial footage broadcast by local stations showed the large coaster halted on its track with emergency personnel assisting stranded riders to safety. The Goliath which opened in 2006 features a 200-foot height 70 mph top speed and a significant drop according to the park’s own description. Multiple news outlets including CNN and The Guardian reported that witnesses observed the victim falling onto the roof of a haunted house attraction or into nearby woods. One rider told a CNN affiliate he made direct eye contact with the man as he fell.
Six Flags issued a statement expressing that it was deeply saddened by the guest incident at the park. The company extended its thoughts and heartfelt condolences to the victim’s family friends and loved ones while confirming full cooperation with investigators. A spokesperson added that the safety of guests and team members remains one of the highest priorities for the operator.
In response to the event Six Flags closed at least nine similar roller coasters across six of its parks out of an abundance of caution NBC Chicago reported. Affected rides include the Raging Bull at Six Flags Great America in Illinois Nitro at Great Adventure in New Jersey and Behemoth and Leviathan at Canada’s Wonderland. This precautionary measure followed immediately after the Georgia tragedy on October 12.
The incident marks the latest in a series of fatal events at Six Flags Over Georgia where USA Today reported at least eight deaths have been tied to customers or employees since the park opened in 1967. The first occurred in 1989 involving an 11-year-old boy on the Z-Force coaster. More recently the company permanently closed the X2 coaster at another park following a CNN investigation that revealed numerous injuries and deaths linked to that attraction. A New York Times report detailed multiple lawsuits over brain injuries from the X2 ride.
Local media gathered accounts from riders who were on the Goliath at the time with one telling WXIA that he made direct eye contact with the falling man who appeared to be levitating sideways. Another witness noted that the victim’s blood had landed on their own ride vehicle adding to the horror of the moment. Park operations were halted and visitors evacuated as authorities worked at the scene into the evening.
