One dies, several injured at Six Flags Over Georgia

One person died and several others were injured Monday in an incident at Six Flags Over Georgia, police said. Witnesses told Atlanta television station WXIA they saw a man fall from the Goliath roller coaster, but authorities did not specify which ride was involved or explain how the incident happened.

Cobb County police said the incident was reported shortly before 4 p.m. at the amusement park, about 10 miles west of downtown Atlanta. “Several people were reported injured, and one person has died,” the department said in a statement. Police Sgt. E. D. Smith said the department’s Major Crimes Unit is investigating. Officials did not immediately provide further details about the injuries.

Witnesses who spoke to WXIA said they saw a man fall from Goliath. At least two said they saw him strike parts of the ride multiple times before hitting the ground, NBC News reported. “He fell and hit the car three different times,” one witness told the station.

Logan Conner, who said he was riding with his fiancé, told WXIA he saw the man become detached from his seat. “The man started levitating in the air sideways,” Conner said. “We made direct eye contact with him.” Another witness told the station the man had been sitting with a child and said the man’s blood ended up on their ride vehicle.

CBS News Atlanta cameras showed Goliath shut down and guests being evacuated from the ride’s largest hill using an emergency stairway. Video from the scene also showed riders leaving the roller coaster after it paused mid-ride, NBC News reported. Authorities did not identify the roller coaster involved in the incident, according to CBS News.

Goliath opened in 2006 and reaches 200 feet, making it the park’s tallest ride. It has a 170-foot drop and reaches speeds of up to 70 mph, according to CBS News.

“We are deeply saddened by the guest incident at our park today,” a Six Flags spokesperson said. “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 spokesperson said park staff and local authorities responded immediately and that Six Flags is cooperating with the investigation. The park said it would not immediately release details out of respect for the family’s privacy.

Mableton Mayor Michael Owens said the city’s public safety director was coordinating with Cobb County police and the park, CBS News reported. Authorities have not released the identity of the person who died.