A day at an amusement park turned fatal on Sunday when a man fell from a roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia, a major theme park located in Mableton, Georgia. Authorities and park officials are now working alongside local law enforcement to investigate what went wrong.
Atlanta-area television stations WXIA and WSB-TV were among the first to report the tragedy. According to eyewitnesses cited by WXIA, the victim — a man — fell from a car on the Goliath roller coaster and struck the ride multiple times during his fall. In a particularly harrowing detail, one witness recounted that the man appeared in souvenir photos automatically taken during the ride.
“He was in our pictures. He fell and hit the car three different times.”
After the man fell, workers reportedly halted the Goliath immediately, and the remaining passengers on the ride had to be evacuated from their cars.
About the Goliath Ride
The Goliath coaster has been a signature attraction at Six Flags Over Georgia since it opened in 2006. Standing 200 feet tall and capable of reaching speeds up to 70 miles per hour, the ride reportedly cost $20 million to construct. It is one of the park’s most prominent thrill rides.
Official Responses
Mableton Mayor Michael Owens issued a statement to WSB-TV expressing condolences and confirming that local officials were actively involved in managing the situation.
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic incident at Six Flags Over Georgia today. Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with the individual’s family, friends, and loved ones during this difficult time. Mableton Public Safety Director Dr. Kerry Stallings is coordinating with Cobb County Police and park security as the situation is addressed. We are grateful to the personnel responding to this incident and will continue to support coordination with the appropriate authorities.”
Mayor Owens added that out of respect for those affected, his office would limit further public comment while the investigation continues.
“Out of respect for the family and the ongoing investigation, we will refrain from commenting further at this time.”
Six Flags Over Georgia also released a statement, though it stopped short of confirming specific details about the incident or the victim.
“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 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.”
Cobb County Police are involved in the investigation. No additional details about the victim’s identity have been officially released as of this report.
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