A man died after falling from the Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia on Monday, according to the New York Post. The incident left several others injured while families tried to enjoy a day out. Nine rides at six different parks closed immediately after the tragedy.
Witnesses described a terrifying scene as the victim struck the ride multiple times during his fall. One person captured the moment on camera, noting the victim was visible in their photos. Cobb County Police have launched a major crimes investigation into the death.
What Witnesses Saw
Local video shows riders being evacuated from the stopped coaster while staff helped them out. The man fell from the ride and hit the car three times before hitting the ground. Lisa Cupid, the Cobb County Board of Commissioners chairwoman, expressed her deep sorrow for the family.
Reporters were informed by her that she finds it impossible to conceive of the terror experienced by both staff and patrons on that day. The family that suffered the loss of a relative at a location filled with joyful recollections is the cause of her aching heart. The park remains a major draw for tourism across the entire Southeast region.
The Park’s Response
Six Flags Over Georgia released a statement through a spokesperson indicating the organization feels profound sorrow regarding the incident involving a guest. Local authorities and the park team acted without delay to address the emergency situation occurring on site. As the investigation reaches its conclusion, they are working in full cooperation with local authorities.
In response to the event, the company declared that they are offering assistance to impacted team members and guests. Attractions similar to the coaster in Austell were closed out of an abundance of caution. Officials did not identify the specific cause of the fall or the victim’s identity.
A History of Tragedy
This death marks at least the seventh fatality at the Georgia park since it opened. Records show a man died from a likely heart attack on this same Goliath coaster in 2006. The 200-foot tall ride reaches speeds of 70 miles per hour during its run.
The incident comes less than two weeks after another park retired a famous roller coaster. Six Flags Magic Mountain announced the end of its X2 coaster following reports of serious injuries. A 32-year-old man also died last year after riding a high-speed coaster in Florida.
