Six Flags announced it would temporarily close nine roller coasters across six of its amusement parks, including Raging Bull at Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, after one person died and several others were injured in what officials described as a “terrible tragedy” involving a coaster at a Six Flags theme park in Georgia.
Officials did not confirm how the person died, nor how the others were injured or their medical conditions after the incident at Six Flags Over Georgia, about 15 miles northwest of Atlanta.
Witnesses who spoke to NBC affiliate WXIA in Atlanta said they saw a man fall from the Goliath roller coaster. At least two said they saw him strike parts of the ride multiple times before hitting the ground, NBC News reported.
As more details continue to emerge, here’s what we know right now.
What happened at Six Flags Over Georgia?
The incident unfolded Monday afternoon at Six Flags Over Georgia. About 4 p.m., the Cobb County Department of Emergency Communications in Georgia confirmed the death but did not provide additional details about the incident.
In a statement, a Six Flags spokesperson said, “We are deeply saddened by the guest incident at our park today. Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with the guest’s family, friends and loved ones.”
“The park team and local authorities responded immediately, and we are cooperating fully with local authorities as they complete their investigation,” the statement went on to say. “Out of respect for the family’s privacy, we will not be sharing additional details at this time.”
The amusement park also said that some coasters at other parks would be temporarily closed “out of an abundance of caution.”
The spokesperson added that the safety guests and team members “remains one of our highest priorities,” and directed any further questions to the Cobb County Police Department.
In a statement, Cobb County Board of Commissioners Chairwoman Lisa N. Cupid called the incident a “terrible tragedy.”
“Cobb County Police officers responded immediately, and detectives with the Major Crimes Unit are investigating the circumstances surrounding this incident” Cupid’s statement, posted to Facebook said.
“I cannot imagine the horror the patrons and employees witnessed today, and my heart aches for the family who lost a loved one,” the statement read in part. “Additional information will be released by law enforcement as it is confirmed.”
Cupid’s statement ended by saying “we are all grappling with how something so devastating could happen at a place that has given generations of families such happy memories.”
What witnesses reported
Witnesses who spoke to WXIA of Atlanta said they saw a man fall from the Goliath roller coaster at the park. At least two people said they saw the man strike parts of the ride before he hit the ground.
Video posted to social media from the park captured a chaotic scene, with the ride being evacuated.
“The Goliath at Six Flags just launched a man out of his seat,” one witness recounted.
Which roller coasters are closed and where?
Authorities and Six Flags did not identify the roller coaster. However, local TV stations showed video of passengers being evacuated from the Goliath coaster.
Goliath, which was opened in 2006, reaches a top speed of 70 mph (113 kph) with a height of 200 feet (61 meters), according to the park’s website.
During about 3 1/2 minutes, riders “navigate through razor-sharp turns and soar over colossal hills,” the website says.
Six Flags confirmed at least four additional roller coasters are part of the temporary pause, including Raging Bull at Six Flags Great America, Nitro at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey as well as Behemoth and Leviathan at Canada’s Wonderland in Vaughn, Ontario, Canada. All are steel hypercoasters manufactured by Switzerland-based Bolliger & Mabillard.
A timeline for reopening was not provided.
Six Flags Great America in Gurnee remains open on select days and evenings this season before closing for the winter Nov. 1.
Other recent incidents at Six Flags
The death would be at least the seventh at the Georgia park, including one in 2006 in which a man had a likely heart attack on the Goliath coaster, according to the Doan Law Firm, which tallies amusement park accidents and represents victims.
It also comes less than two weeks after Six Flags Magic Mountain in Southern California announced the retirement of its famous X2 roller coaster following lawsuits alleging serious brain injury caused by the ride. The park settled one wrongful-death lawsuit from the family of a 22-year-old man who died after riding the coaster in 2022.
In a Sept. 29 statement, Magic Mountain President Brian Oerding said X2 was being retired because “it’s the right thing to do.”
“Ride safety is a cornerstone of our business, and when we see guest confidence affected, we take it seriously,” the statement said.
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