A person has died after falling from a roller coaster at the Six Flags Over Georgia theme park in Mableton, Georgia, according to reports.
Local television stations WXIA and WSB-TV in Atlanta initially reported the deadly incident.
Mableton Mayor Michael Owens released a statement to WSB-TV acknowledging the tragic events.
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic incident at Six Flags Over Georgia today. Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with the individual’s family, friends, and loved ones during this difficult time,” Owens said. “Mableton Public Safety Director Dr. Kerry Stallings is coordinating with Cobb County Police and park security as the situation is addressed. We are grateful to the personnel responding to this incident and will continue to support coordination with the appropriate authorities.”
Owens added, “Out of respect for the family and the ongoing investigation, we will refrain from commenting further at this time.”
The Associated Press reports that a Six Flags spokesperson said the park and local authorities responded immediately and that they are fully cooperating with local authorities as they investigate.
Authorities and Six Flags did not identify the roller coaster. However, local TV stations showed video of passengers being evacuated from the Goliath coaster.
Citing eyewitnesses, WXIA reported that the victim, a man, had fallen from a car on the Goliath roller coaster and hit the ride several times. One witness said that the falling man was captured in their souvenir photos that are taken during the ride.
“He was in our pictures,” the witness said. “He fell and hit the car three different times.”
According to unconfirmed reports, after the man fell, workers stopped the ride, and the remaining guests had to be evacuated.
The Goliath ride opened in 2006 and reaches heights of 200 feet. It reportedly cost $20 million to construct and can reach up to 70 miles per hour, the park’s website reports. During about 3 1/2 minutes, riders “navigate through razor-sharp turns and soar over colossal hills,” according to the website.
Six Flags Over Georgia also released a statement: “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. We are also providing support to the guests and team members affected,” the statement read. “The park team and local authorities responded immediately, and we are cooperating fully with local authorities as they complete their investigation. Out of respect for the family’s privacy, we will not be sharing additional details at this time.”
Sister station WYFF and the Associated Press report that the Cobb County Police Department said detectives are investigating the death, but so far they have not said what caused it or the injuries to the other people.
The AP reports that 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, whose practice areas include amusement park accidents.
Last month, Six Flags Magic Mountain, in Southern California, announced that it was retiring its famous X2 roller coaster amid lawsuits alleging serious brain injury caused by the ride. Six Flags recently settled a wrongful-death lawsuit from the family of a 22-year-old man who died after riding the coaster in 2022, and three more lawsuits alleging traumatic brain injuries were filed last week.
Last year, a 32-year-old man died after riding a high-speed roller coaster at the Universal Epic Universe theme park in Florida. He died from blunt impact injuries and his death was ruled accidental.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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The Associated Press contributed to this report
