Six Flags Closes 9 Coasters Nationwide After Rider Falls to Death in Georgia
A rider died Monday after falling from the Goliath at Six Flags Over Georgia, and several others were hurt. The company closed similar rides at six parks “out of an abundance of caution.”
Six Flags has temporarily closed nine roller coasters at six amusement parks across the United States and Canada after a man died on a ride at its park in Georgia on Monday. Several other riders were hurt.
The man died after falling from the Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia in Austell, about 15 miles northwest of Atlanta. A witness told WXIA, CNN’s Atlanta affiliate, that he fell from the car, hit the ride three times and landed on the roof of a haunted house attraction below.
The incident happened shortly before 4 p.m. Monday, according to Cobb County police. The department’s major crimes unit is investigating. The man’s identity has not been released, and Cobb County Board of Commissioners chair Lisa Cupid said his next of kin have been notified.
Six Flags announced the closures Monday evening. A company spokesperson said rides similar to Goliath were closed “out of an abundance of caution.” “We are deeply saddened by the guest incident at our park today,” the company said in a statement. “Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with the guest’s family, friends, and loved ones.”
The closed rides are Raging Bull at Six Flags Great America in Illinois; Goliath at Six Flags Magic Mountain in California; Nitro at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey; Leviathan and Behemoth at Canada’s Wonderland in Ontario; Fury 325 and Thunder Striker at Carowinds in Charlotte, North Carolina; and Orion and Diamondback at Kings Island in Ohio.
Goliath opened in 2006. It climbs 200 feet and reaches 70 mph on a ride of about three and a half minutes, according to the park. Six Flags Over Georgia was open Monday for the Columbus Day holiday, a day many Atlanta-area schools had off for fall break.
The move comes less than two weeks after Six Flags Magic Mountain said it would permanently close its X2 coaster in California, following a CNN investigation that documented reports of serious injuries and deaths linked to the ride.
