One person has died and several others were injured after a serious incident involving the Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia in Mableton, Georgia.
Cobb County police were called to the theme park at about 3.58pm on Monday, 12 October, after reports of an emergency involving a roller coaster. Detectives from the department’s Major Crimes Unit are investigating.
Witnesses said they saw a rider fall from the attraction into woodland near the track. The account has not been independently confirmed by investigators.
The park was evacuated soon afterwards, while riders stranded on the Goliath were brought down by staff using harnesses and an emergency evacuation system.
Investigation under way after Goliath roller coaster incident
Police said several people had been reported injured and confirmed that one person had died. The identity of the deceased had not been released.
Authorities have not announced what caused the incident or confirmed the circumstances surrounding the reported fall. Further details are expected to be released as the investigation progresses.
The Georgia Office of Insurance and Safety Fire said its inspectors and investigators were examining the ride and working with park officials and Cobb County public safety agencies.
Commissioner John F King said the team was “on the ground examining the equipment” as part of the response.
Six Flags Over Georgia said it was deeply saddened by the incident and had offered support to affected guests and employees. The operator said it was co-operating fully with local authorities and would not provide further details while the investigation continued.
Mableton mayor Michael Owens said the city’s public safety director was coordinating with Cobb County police and park security.
“Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with the individual’s family, friends, and loved ones during this difficult time,” Mr Owens said.
Witnesses describe moments of panic
Visitors waiting for the nearby Georgia Scorcher said people began running towards the wooded area after the incident.
Brittany Landry, who was at the park with her children, said she had been watching the Goliath when she saw what appeared to be a person fly from the ride.
She told local television reporters that the sight left her shaken, adding that people visiting an amusement park expected to return home safely.
Another visitor, Deysi Gonzalez, said she had been waiting with relatives when people in the queue began shouting that someone had fallen from the coaster.
Ms Gonzalez said she had felt safe at the park before the incident but was unsure whether she would return.
Some riders on the Goliath were left stopped high above the ground and had to be escorted from the ride in small groups. Footage from local broadcasters showed passengers being helped down from the structure after the coaster was shut down.
Goliath attraction remains at centre of inquiry
Goliath is a hypercoaster that rises about 200ft and reaches speeds of up to 70mph. The attraction includes a 170ft first drop, a further 175ft drop and a 540-degree spiral.
Cobb County Commission chair Lisa Cupid said next of kin had been notified and expressed sympathy for the family of the person who died, as well as those injured and the park’s employees and visitors.
“I cannot imagine the horror the patrons and employees witnessed today,” Ms Cupid said.
Police, state safety investigators and Six Flags officials are expected to examine the ride, its equipment and the events leading up to the incident. No findings about responsibility or the cause of the death have been announced.
