Six Flags Closes Rides After Georgia Roller Coaster Death

A man died and several people were injured Monday in a roller coaster incident at Six Flags Over Georgia near Atlanta, prompting Six Flags to temporarily close nine rides nationwide while police investigate how the incident happened.

Cobb County police said the incident occurred shortly before 4 p.m. at the park. Witnesses told WXIA that a man fell from the Goliath roller coaster, which reaches 200 feet and speeds of 70 mph, according to Six Flags.

Police have not released details on how the man died or the number of injured people. Officers from the park and uniformed patrol units responded, while detectives from the Cobb County Police Major Crimes Unit investigate.

"He fell and hit the car three different times" said a witness to WXIA.

Six Flags Over Georgia said the company closed nine roller coasters at six other parks as a precaution. The closures affected rides beyond the Georgia location while authorities reviewed the circumstances.

"We are deeply saddened by the guest incident at our park today," said Six Flags Over Georgia.

"Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with the guest’s family, friends, and loved ones," said Six Flags Over Georgia.

The Goliath ride stopped on its lift hill after the incident, and passengers from a nearby car were evacuated using stairs along the coaster track around 5 p.m., according to aerial video from WXIA.

A couple riding the coaster told WXIA they witnessed the fall. The woman described their reaction during the incident.

"Oh my God, what is happening?" said a woman who spoke to WXIA.

Another witness told WXIA the man appeared to be riding with his son while his wife and daughter watched from the ground.

"He’s in our Goliath pictures. The picture that they take and that you keep," said a witness who spoke to WXIA.

Rahim Hakmati, a Six Flags Over Georgia season ticket holder, told CNN he arrived as groups of guests were leaving and saw security directing people away from the stopped coaster.

"What makes this even crazier is that we were at Six Flags the night before and rode Goliath ourselves. We didn’t notice anything unusual or experience any problems with the ride that night," said Rahim Hakmati.

Cobb County Board of Commissioners Chairwoman Lisa Cupid said the county would work with Six Flags and other partners during the investigation.

"I cannot imagine the horror the patrons and employees witnessed today, and my heart aches for the family who lost a loved one," said Lisa Cupid, Cobb County Board of Commissioners Chairwoman.

Cupid said Six Flags Over Georgia remains an important tourism attraction for the county and region as officials continue gathering confirmed information.

"Six Flags Over Georgia is a significant part of our tourism landscape, drawing visitors from across our county, our state, and the Southeast," said Lisa Cupid, Cobb County Board of Commissioners Chairwoman.

She also addressed the families, employees, and community members affected by the incident while authorities continued their work.

"In the meantime, please keep in your thoughts the family of the deceased, those who were injured, the employees and leadership of Six Flags, and our community. We are all grappling with how something so devastating could happen at a place that has given generations of families such happy memories," said Lisa Cupid, Cobb County Board of Commissioners Chairwoman.

The incident occurred weeks after Six Flags Magic Mountain announced it would permanently close the X2 roller coaster in California following a CNN investigation into reports of serious injuries and deaths associated with that ride.