A man died after falling from the Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia on Monday, leaving other riders stranded on the stalled ride until emergency crews evacuated them car by car.
The fatal plunge happened at the Austell, Georgia, park on Monday afternoon, according to witness accounts and park officials who spoke with 11Alive. The victim has not been publicly identified.
The man collided with a roller coaster car three separate times during his fall, according to a witness who captured the incident in a souvenir photograph. “He was in our pictures,” the witness said. “He fell and hit the car three different times.”
The Goliath coaster, which reaches speeds of 70 miles per hour, ground to a halt on an incline after the incident, WSBTV reported. Riders were then evacuated four at a time from their cars.
A spokesperson for Six Flags Over Georgia addressed the death in a statement to The Post. “We are deeply saddened by the guest incident at our park today. Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with the guest’s family, friends, and loved ones. We are also providing support to the guests and team members affected,” the spokesperson said.
The park’s statement continued with a pledge of cooperation with investigators. “The park team and local authorities responded immediately, and we are cooperating fully with local authorities as they complete their investigation. Out of respect for the family’s privacy, we will not be sharing additional details at this time,” the spokesperson added.
Local officials had not provided comment to The Post as of the initial reporting.
The Goliath roller coaster stands 200 feet tall, according to the Six Flags website, and is marketed as one of the park’s premier thrill attractions with its 70-mile-per-hour speeds.