Man Dies After Fall from Goliath Roller Coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia

A man died and several people were injured on Monday afternoon, October 12, after he fell from the Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia, about 15 miles northwest of Atlanta. Cobb County Police said the incident occurred around 3:58 p.m. local time. Detectives from the major crimes unit are investigating.

Witnesses told local television stations that the man was ejected from his seat, struck parts of the ride multiple times, and landed on the roof of a haunted house attraction below. Park employees evacuated remaining riders from a car that stopped on an incline. Aerial footage showed the coaster halted with passengers being helped off.

Six Flags said it was deeply saddened by the guest incident and was cooperating with authorities. The company temporarily closed nine roller coasters at six other parks that are similar to Goliath, citing an abundance of caution. The affected rides include versions of Goliath at other locations. No timeline has been given for their reopening.

Goliath opened in 2006, manufactured by Bolliger & Mabillard. It reaches 70 miles per hour and a height of 200 feet. The park was open on the Columbus Day holiday when many local schools were on break. Officials have not released the victim's identity or the precise cause of the fall. Some witnesses said the man's son had been seated next to him and that lap bars had been checked before the ride began.

This is at least the seventh death linked to the Georgia park since it opened in 1967, according to tallies by injury law firms. A previous incident on Goliath in 2006 involved a man who suffered a likely heart attack. The episode comes weeks after Six Flags Magic Mountain permanently closed its X2 coaster following lawsuits alleging brain injuries.

Cobb County Commission Chair Lisa Cupid said a terrible tragedy had occurred and that the county was working closely with the park. Six Flags is providing support to affected guests and staff. The investigation will examine the restraint system, the sequence of events, and any mechanical factors. Similar coasters elsewhere remain closed pending the outcome.

Amusement park safety oversight involves both company maintenance and state inspections. The temporary nationwide closures of comparable rides reflect the company's effort to assess whether a shared design or operational issue exists. No further injuries have been reported at other locations.