Roller coasters at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo and California’s Great America in Santa Clara will remain open after a fatal incident at Six Flags Over Georgia, because neither Bay Area park operates a similar hypercoaster.
Six Flags said it was temporarily closing nine comparable rides at parks across North America as a precaution after one person died and several others were injured at the Georgia resort on Monday, October 12.
The incident happened at about 3.58pm at the park in Mableton, outside Atlanta. Cobb County Police said officers responded and detectives from its major crimes unit were investigating the circumstances.
Witnesses told local television stations that a rider fell from Goliath, the park’s tallest and fastest attraction. The ride rises to about 200ft and reaches speeds of up to 70mph.
One witness, Brittany Landry, told Fox 5 Atlanta: “I just see someone fly out and fly into the woods. You ride roller coasters to get the adrenaline rush, but you always expect to get back. You don’t expect to not come home. It could’ve been any of us.”
Why Bay Area roller coasters remain open
The affected attractions include the 281ft Goliath at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, southern California. Although it shares its name with the Georgia ride, it is a different model from the coasters at Discovery Kingdom and Great America.
Hypercoasters are generally defined by drops of at least 200ft. The tallest attractions at the two Bay Area parks fall below that mark: Gold Striker at Great America is 108ft, while Medusa and Superman at Discovery Kingdom are listed at 150ft.
Neither park has announced any ride closures following the Georgia death.
Six Flags said its attractions are subject to routine inspections and maintenance, including checks by park employees, independent firms, regulators, insurers and engineering specialists. The company said it was co-operating with local authorities investigating the Georgia incident.
A Six Flags spokesperson said the company was “deeply saddened” by what happened and was providing support to affected guests and employees.
The temporary closures came less than two weeks after Six Flags Magic Mountain announced the permanent retirement of its X2 roller coaster, following reports of injuries and lawsuits alleging severe brain damage. That decision is separate from the latest incident in Georgia.
