Man Dies After Falling From Goliath Roller Coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia; Four Others Injured
A man fell to his death from the 200-foot Goliath coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia on Monday afternoon, and four other guests were hurt, police said, as investigators examine what caused the ride's first fatal fall of its kind.
ATLANTA — A man died Monday after falling from the Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia, and four other people were injured, the Cobb County Police Department said.
The incident happened at about 3:58 p.m. local time, the department said in an email to USA Today, confirming one death and several injuries. Atlanta television stations WSB and 11 Alive reported the man fell from Goliath, the park’s 200-foot-tall steel coaster. WSB reported that four other guests were hurt.
11 Alive reported, citing witnesses, that the man was ejected from his car, struck the ride three times as he fell, and landed on the roof of a haunted house attraction below the track. One witness told the station the falling man appeared in the background of their souvenir ride photo.
Park cooperating with investigators
Six Flags said it was “deeply saddened by the guest incident at our park today” and that it was cooperating fully with local authorities’ investigation. “Out of respect for the family’s privacy, we will not be sharing additional details at this time,” the statement said.
The ride stopped with passengers stranded on an incline, and emergency crews evacuated riders using elevated walkways, according to video from the scene. Police have not said what caused the man to leave the ride or what injuries the others suffered. The investigation is continuing.
A history of fatal incidents at the park
The park, which opened in 1967, has had at least eight deaths tied to customers or employees, according to a study published by the Doan Law Firm, an injury-attorneys group. Previous fatalities at Six Flags Over Georgia include a 45-year-old man with a heart condition who died after riding Goliath in 2006 and a 17-year-old who was decapitated in 2008 after entering a restricted area beneath the tracks of Batman: The Ride, according to the study.
Goliath opened in 2006. According to the park’s website, the coaster reaches speeds of up to 70 miles per hour and stands 200 feet tall, with a 170-foot initial drop.
Reporting based on coverage by USA Today, Fox News and 11 Alive.
