A man died and several other people were hurt Monday in an incident on the Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia, an amusement park in Cobb County about 15 miles from Atlanta. Six Flags has temporarily closed nine rides at parks across the country, and the ride’s manufacturer says it is “actively investigating the incident.” Police have not said how the man died or how many others were injured.
What Happened
Cobb County Police confirmed they are investigating the death. Officials have not released the victim’s name or the names of anyone else hurt.
Witnesses told local stations that a man fell from the ride. One onlooker told CNN affiliate WXIA that he “hit the car three different times” before landing on the roof of a haunted house attraction below, and another witness told 11Alive the same thing about the roof. Police have not confirmed that account or said whether Goliath was the ride involved, though news helicopters showed the coaster stopped partway along its track as workers helped riders off.
A Rider’s Account From the Station
CiCi Nelson was in line for Goliath when a cart pulled back into the loading station with an empty seat. She told CNN that one passenger was “freaking out, saying someone fell off” and urging staff to call for help. She said she saw the empty seat with its safety bar loose, and another young passenger who appeared to be bleeding and injured.
“Once I saw the girl and the loose safety bar, my stomach dropped and I was terrified,” Nelson said.
Park staff and emergency crews arrived quickly and asked people in line to leave. Nelson said riders in the cart behind were stuck in the air for a time. She added that a one-minute delay with her Flash Pass app was the only reason her group wasn’t on that cart.
Six Flags, the Manufacturer and Local Officials Respond
Six Flags said it was “deeply saddened by the guest incident at our park today” and sent condolences to the guest’s family, friends and loved ones. The company said its team responded immediately and is cooperating with authorities.
Swiss manufacturer Bolliger & Mabillard called the accident “tragic.” “We are deeply saddened by this tragic accident. Our thoughts are with the family and those affected,” the company said, adding that it will not comment further “until we have a better understanding of what transpired.”
Michael Owens, mayor of Mableton, said the city’s public safety director is coordinating with local police and park security.
Nine Rides Closed and a 14% Share Drop
Six Flags announced Monday that it had temporarily shut down nine rides at various parks. Shares of Six Flags Entertainment (ticker FUN) fell 14% on Tuesday, erasing about $170 million in market value. The company was worth $1.22 billion at Monday’s close and has lost nearly half its value over the past year.
The company counts NFL star Travis Kelce among its backers. It named him a brand ambassador in March, and in October 2025 he teamed up with activist hedge fund Jana Partners to buy a 9% stake.
About Goliath
Goliath opened in 2006 and is a hyper coaster, with a height of about 200 feet, a 170-foot drop, a 540-degree spiral and a top speed of about 70 mph. Six Flags rates it level four on its five-level thrill scale.
According to the Doan Law Firm, a 45-year-old man died in 2006 after riding Goliath, in what the firm described as an apparent heart attack. Nothing in the available information links that death to this one.
A Second Safety Story for Six Flags in Weeks
Two weeks earlier, Six Flags Magic Mountain in California announced it would permanently close its X2 coaster after a CNN investigation documented reports of serious injuries and deaths, with more than 100 people alleging brain injuries tied to the ride. Six Flags said X2 had passed safety tests but called retiring it “the right thing to do.” The X2 closure and the Georgia incident are separate, and nothing in the available information connects them.
What Investigators Will Look At
Police have not said what caused the death. Investigators are expected to review surveillance footage, ride operation and maintenance records, and witness statements, including whether the man’s restraint was properly secured and whether any problem was reported before the incident. The ride will stay closed while that work continues.
