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9 coasters closed after fatal Six Flags Georgia incident
Six Flags temporarily closed nine roller coasters across six parks after a fatal incident at Six Flags Over Georgia. One person died and four others were injured; officials have not confirmed which coaster was involved or disclosed the cause. FOX 5 Atlanta's Marc Teichner reporting.
MABLETON, Ga. - Six Flags has temporarily closed nine roller coasters across six of its parks after one person died and four others were injured in an incident at Six Flags Over Georgia on Monday.
ORIGINAL STORY: Six Flags Over Georgia: Witnesses describe horror as rider falls from Goliath coaster
What they're saying:
The company said it closed similar attractions "out of an abundance of caution." It did not identify the rides or parks affected.
Investigation underway
What we know:
The incident happened shortly before 4 p.m. Monday. Cobb County police Major Crimes Unit detectives are investigating, and state officials are also involved, according to the report.
Officials have not released the person’s name or confirmed how the person died. They also have not disclosed the conditions of the four injured people. Six Flags has not identified the coaster involved. Witness accounts and video showed riders being evacuated from Goliath, the park’s 200-foot-tall coaster that reaches speeds of up to 70 mph.
A rider told FOX 5 Atlanta the train stopped while it was on the lift hill. Witnesses described seeing someone fall from the ride, but the cause remains under investigation.
Other ride incidents
The Doan Law Firm, which tracks amusement park accidents and represents victims, says the death would be at least the seventh at Six Flags Over Georgia.
The firm’s count includes a 2006 death after a man suffered a heart attack on a coaster and a 2008 incident in which a teenager entered a restricted area and was struck by a coaster while trying to retrieve a hat.
The Georgia incident also comes less than two weeks after Six Flags Magic Mountain in California announced it would retire its X2 coaster following lawsuits alleging riders suffered serious brain injuries.
The park settled a wrongful-death lawsuit filed by the family of a 22-year-old man who died after riding X2 in 2022.
Separately, a woman is suing Universal Orlando, alleging her son hit his head and lost consciousness while riding Stardust Racers at Epic Universe. She is seeking payment for his past and ongoing medical bills.
A recent industry report estimated 652 roller-coaster injuries across fixed-site attractions in the U.S. and Canada in 2024; a current U.S.-only annual death count is not available.
What's next:
The Cobb County Police Department is conducting an investigation into the incident along with state safety officials.
FOX 5 Atlanta has reached out to the Goeria Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner's office requesting the inspection records for the ride.