A guest died today after an incident on one of the biggest roller coasters at Six Flags Over Georgia. The park, located near Atlanta, confirmed the death this afternoon. Witnesses say a man fell from the ride, called Goliath. Officials have not confirmed how the incident happened. Police say several other people suffered injuries.
Six Flags Over Georgia released a statement after the incident. “We are deeply saddened by the guest incident at our park today,” the park said. Six Flags said its team and local authorities responded immediately. The park said it is helping guests and team members and cooperating fully with investigators. It is not sharing more details out of respect for the family’s privacy. Officials have not released the man’s name or age.
What Witnesses Saw
Several witnesses told Atlanta TV stations they saw a man fall from the coaster. One witness said she saw “somebody fly out and just fly into the woods” from about 150 feet away. Another said the man “fell and hit the car three different times.” Goliath’s automatic ride camera even captured him as he fell. Riders told reporters their souvenir photo shows him tumbling past them as he struck the train. The ride then stopped, leaving 15 to 20 riders on a different train stuck partway up the lift hill. Crews used harnesses to help them walk down the stairs along the track a few at a time. News helicopters captured the evacuation, as you can see below:
Police and State Inspectors Investigating
Police got the emergency call just before 4 p.m. Detectives from the Cobb County Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit are leading the investigation. Police confirmed the death, and Atlanta media report that four other people suffered injuries. Officials have not shared their conditions or explained how the injuries happened. Cobb County Commission Chair Lisa Cupid said she understands officials have reached the man’s family.
Inspectors from Georgia’s Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner are examining the ride. That office oversees amusement ride safety in the state. Mableton Mayor Michael Owens released a statement, since the park sits within the city. “We are deeply saddened by the tragic incident at Six Flags Over Georgia today,” Owens said. Goliath remains closed, and there is no word on when it will reopen.
About Goliath
Goliath opened at Six Flags Over Georgia in 2006 and is one of the park’s signature rides. The coaster climbs about 200 feet and reaches speeds of up to 70 miles per hour. It also features a 175-foot drop. An individual lap bar holds each rider in place, rather than an over-the-shoulder harness. Bolliger & Mabillard, a Swiss company known for some of the world’s top coasters, built the ride.
This is not the first death on Goliath. In July 2006, a 45-year-old man lost consciousness on the ride and later died at a hospital. An autopsy later found he had a heart condition present since birth. An inspection found the coaster working properly, and it reopened soon after. This is a developing story, and we will update it as officials release more information.
Follow Disney Dorks on Facebook for updates on this developing story and the latest theme park news.