A man has died after falling from a rollercoaster at Six Flags Over Georgia in the US, an incident that left his son seated beside him and prompted a full park evacuation.
The tragedy occurred on Monday when the man tumbled from the Goliath ride, which stands 200ft tall and reaches speeds of 70mph. Witnesses reported that he struck the carriage multiple times during his fall, and several other riders sustained injuries.
Witness accounts of the fall
An onlooker told 11Alive news outlet: "He fell and hit the car three different times." The witness also said the man collided with a girl two rows ahead, "smashing" down precisely as the ride's camera captured a photograph. "He was in our pictures," the witness added.
Reports indicate the man's son was seated next to him when the fall occurred. Fellow passengers were left stranded on an incline as rescue operations began around 5pm local time. Evacuation proceeded in batches of four, while others remained trapped midway.
Park response and investigation
Following the incident, a spokesperson told Entertainment Weekly: "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."
"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," the spokesperson added.
The attraction had been closed the previous day due to adverse weather. A spokesperson had announced: "Due to weather conditions, Six Flags Over Georgia will be closed Saturday, October 10. The safety of our guests and team members is always a top priority. We're planning to reopen Sunday, October 11, and will continue to keep a close eye on conditions."
Context and aftermath
Authorities have yet to establish how the man died, with circumstances remaining unclear. The Goliath rollercoaster, which launched in 2006, was the site of the fatal incident.
The event follows the closure of a contentious ride at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California, after more than 100 safety complaints were reported.
