A man has died after falling from a rollercoaster at Six Flags Over Georgia in the US on Monday, during what was meant to be a family outing with his son. The incident occurred on the Goliath ride, which towers at 200ft and reaches speeds of up to 70mph.
Passengers stranded and injured
Fellow passengers on the ride were left stranded and covered in blood before the entire theme park was evacuated. Several other visitors sustained injuries during the tragedy. The man reportedly struck the carriage multiple times during the fall, and his son was seated next to him when he fell.
One witness told 11Alive news outlet: "He fell and hit the car three different times." The victim also struck a girl two rows ahead, "smashing" down precisely as the ride's camera captured a photograph. "He was in our pictures," the witness said.
Park's response and investigation
The theme park had been closed the previous day due to adverse weather conditions. A spokesperson had said: "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."
Following the fatal incident, the theme park released another statement. 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."
Rescue operation and prior concerns
Officials have not yet confirmed the cause of death, with the circumstances surrounding the incident remaining unknown. Other passengers on the rollercoaster, which first opened in 2006, found themselves trapped on an incline as rescue operations commenced at approximately 5pm local time. They were brought down in groups of four, while others remained stranded midway through the ride.
The incident comes after the closure of a controversial attraction at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California, following more than 100 safety complaints.
