One person has died and several others were hurt after an incident on a rollercoaster at Six Flags Over Georgia, the amusement park about 15 miles (24km) from Atlanta. Police in Cobb County said they are investigating the death. Aerial footage from news helicopters showed a ride stopped midway, with riders being helped off by park workers.
Officials have not yet said how the person died, and the BBC has not verified witness accounts of what happened. This explainer sets out what is confirmed, what is still unknown, and what the park and local authorities have said so far.
What is confirmed
The Cobb County Police Department said it was investigating a fatality at the park. The BBC’s partner CBS reported the police statement. Police did not say which ride was involved at the time of the statement.
Aerial footage showed the Goliath rollercoaster stopped part way round its course, with riders being helped off by workers. The park said its team and local authorities responded immediately and are co-operating on an investigation.
What is not yet known
Officials have not said how the person was killed. Local media quoted witnesses saying a man was ejected from the ride. The BBC has not verified these accounts. One local outlet, 11Alive, quoted a witness saying the man fell onto the roof of a haunted house attraction nearby. That detail has not been confirmed by police.
Readers should treat witness accounts as unverified until police or the park release an official account.
What the park has said
Six Flags Over Georgia said it was “deeply saddened by the guest incident at our park today” and that its thoughts were with the family, friends and loved ones of the guest. Mableton Mayor Michael Owens said the city’s public safety director was co-ordinating with local police and park security.
About the Goliath ride
The Goliath opened in 2006. According to the park’s website, it has a height of 200ft (60m), a 170ft plunge, a 540-degree spiral and a top speed of up to 70mph (112km/h). Six Flags rates it four out of five on its thrill scale.
A pattern of incidents, according to lawyers
Personal injury lawyers have told the BBC that Monday’s death is the latest of several at the Georgia park. The Doan Law Firm said a 45-year-old man died from an apparent heart attack after riding the Goliath in 2006. These claims come from a law firm that represents injured people, and they are not an official record. They should be checked against public records.
The incident also follows a recent announcement from a Six Flags park in southern California that it would close its X2 rollercoaster after more than 100 people alleged brain injuries from the ride. Six Flags is the largest amusement park operator in North America, with 20 parks, 14 water parks and nine resorts across Canada, the US and Mexico.
What happens next
The police investigation will establish how the death happened and whether the ride was involved in any way. Investigators will examine the ride, the sequence of events and the statements of witnesses and staff. Until that work is complete, the cause should be treated as unknown.
What is confirmed and what is not
- Confirmed: one person died and several others were hurt; police are investigating; the Goliath stopped midway with riders helped off by staff, according to aerial footage.
- Not confirmed: the cause of death, how the person came to be ejected, and whether any ride fault contributed.
- Disputed or unverified: witness accounts of ejection and where the person landed.
Frequently asked questions
What happened at Six Flags Over Georgia?
One person died and several others were hurt in an incident on a rollercoaster at the park near Atlanta. Aerial footage showed a ride stopped midway, and Cobb County police are investigating.
Which ride was involved?
Aerial footage showed the Goliath rollercoaster stopped midway. Police did not specify the ride at the time of their first statement, so the official account should be checked once police confirm it.
How did the person die?
Officials have not said how the person was killed. Witness accounts that the person was ejected have not been verified.
Is the ride still operating?
The available reports do not say whether the Goliath has reopened. Check the park’s website or official statements for the current status.
Has the park said anything about ride safety?
The park said it was co-operating with local authorities on an investigation. The reports available do not include a statement on the ride’s safety record or any finding about its cause.
Sources
- BBC News: One dead and several hurt after rollercoaster incident at Six Flags
- CBS News Atlanta: Six Flags Over Georgia roller coaster incident
- CBS News Atlanta: local news
- Cobb County Government
- BBC News: homepage headline listing
