Man falls to death from Austell Six Flags roller coaster

A man died Monday after falling from a ride at Six Flags Over Georgia in Austell, police say. Detectives launched an investigation as park operators temporarily closed several attractions nationwide. Officials have not confirmed how the man died.

No information has been released about the condition of several other people who were hurt. Cobb County Police Department major crimes unit detectives are investigating the incident.

Authorities and park officials did not name the ride. Local television stations showed video of passengers evacuated from the Goliath roller coaster.

Rider Logan Conner was on Goliath with his fiancée. He saw the man come out of his seat.

“The man started levitating in the air sideways. We made direct eye contact with him.”

Witness Britny Landry rode earlier Monday and stood in line to go again. She watched from the ground near the track.

“We just look, and I just see somebody fly out. Maybe somebody had a bag or something.”

Six Flags Entertainment Corporation temporarily closed nine roller coasters across six amusement parks. A company spokesperson said the move was made out of an abundance of caution.

Staff members and local authorities responded immediately, the spokesperson said. The park is cooperating with the inquiry.

“We are deeply saddened by the guest incident at our park today.”

Police and company representatives did not immediately respond to messages seeking additional information Tuesday. A message seeking comment also went to the state Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner.

Goliath opened in 2006 in Austell, located about 15 miles northwest of Atlanta. The ride reaches a top speed of 70 mph and rises 200 feet, according to the park website.

The ride lasts about 3 1/2 minutes. Riders navigate sharp turns and soar over hills, the website says.

Next of kin have received notification of the death, Cobb County Board of Commissioners Chairwoman Lisa Cupid said. The park brings visitors from across the Southeast.

“I cannot imagine the horror the patrons and employees witnessed today, and my heart aches for the family who lost a loved one. We are all grappling with how something so devastating could happen at a place that has given generations of families such happy memories.”

The incident would be at least the seventh fatality at the Georgia site, according to the Doan Law Firm. A man suffered a likely heart attack on the Goliath ride in 2006, the firm reported.

The incident follows the retirement of the X2 roller coaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Southern California. That park settled a wrongful-death lawsuit over a 22-year-old man who died in 2022.

A 32-year-old man died from blunt impact injuries last year at Universal Epic Universe in Florida. Authorities ruled that roller coaster incident accidental.

Major crimes units handle death investigations alongside amusement ride regulatory agencies. Officials inspect physical ride equipment and safety restraints following fatal falls.

The Austell theme park remains subject to state safety oversight during the inquiry.