Six Flags Over Georgia Roller Coaster Death (2026) Goliath Incident

What Happened at Six Flags Over Georgia?

A man died and several others were injured in a roller coaster incident at Six Flags Over Georgia on Monday, October 12, 2026. The incident occurred at approximately 3:58 p.m. local time at the amusement park in Austell, Georgia, about 15 miles (24 kilometers) northwest of Atlanta.

Witnesses told local media that a man fell from the Goliath roller coaster and struck the ride several times before falling. One witness told 11Alive that the man "fell and hit the car three different times" and that the fall was captured on a souvenir photograph taken during the ride.

Another witness told CNN affiliate WXIA that the man was riding the roller coaster with his son while his wife and daughter watched from the ground. The man was seen being "ejected from his car and bouncing off the coaster three times," according to witness accounts.

Following the incident, the park was evacuated, and riders who were stuck on the Goliath were helped off the ride by workers. Aerial footage from news helicopters showed the roller coaster stopped midway, with passengers being evacuated four at a time onto an adjacent stairway.

Six Flags Roller Coaster Death Cause of Death

The cause of death has not been confirmed by officials. The Cobb County Police Department stated that officials did not confirm how the person died or what caused the injuries. An investigation is ongoing.

Witnesses told local media that the man was ejected from his seat on the Goliath roller coaster and fell, striking the ride multiple times before landing on the roof of a haunted house attraction below. However, these accounts have not been officially verified by authorities.

Details about how the rider died, as well as the number of people injured and their conditions, were not immediately available. Six Flags declined to describe what happened, citing the family's privacy.

The Cobb County Police Department's major crimes unit is investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident. Authorities have not released the man's name or age.

The Goliath Roller Coaster

While authorities and Six Flags did not officially identify the roller coaster involved, local TV stations showed video of passengers being evacuated from the Goliath coaster, and witnesses named the ride.

The Goliath opened at Six Flags Over Georgia in 2006. According to the park's website, the ride reaches top speeds of 70 mph (about 113 kph) and heights of 200 feet (61 meters). During about 3 1/2 minutes, riders "navigate through razor-sharp turns and soar over colossal hills."

On Six Flags' own "thrill scale," Goliath is ranked at level four out of five. The ride was manufactured by Switzerland-based Bolliger & Mabillard and is one of the park's most popular attractions.

In 2006, during its opening year, a 45-year-old man with a hereditary heart condition suffered a fatal heart attack while aboard the Goliath ride. He was said to have been conscious during the ride but unresponsive when the trains pulled back at the station.

Injuries and Evacuation

Several others were injured in the incident, though officials did not confirm how many people were hurt or the extent of their injuries. WSB reported that four others were injured.

Following the man's death, the Goliath roller coaster was stopped on an incline, and riders were evacuated from the cars four at a time. Workers helped passengers onto an adjacent stairway. Footage shared on social media showed people stuck on a steep incline in the middle of the ride.

Rahim Hakmati, a Six Flags Over Georgia season ticket holder, told CNN he arrived at the park just as large groups of people were leaving. He saw security directing people away from the roller coaster, which had stopped on the lift hill. "What makes this even crazier is that we were at Six Flags the night before and rode Goliath ourselves. We didn't notice anything unusual or experience any problems with the ride that night," Hakmati said.

Six Flags Response

Six Flags Over Georgia said it was "deeply saddened by the guest incident at our park today" in a statement. "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 spokesperson added that "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, Six Flags said it would not be sharing additional details.

Six Flags temporarily closed nine roller coasters across six amusement parks following the incident. A spokesperson said they closed attractions similar to the roller coaster involved "out of an abundance of caution." "The safety of our guests and team members remains one of our highest priorities," the spokesperson said.

The closures included the Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California, which was closed following the Georgia incident. A representative said the park does "not have a timeline for reopening."

Official Statements

Lisa Cupid, chairwoman of the Cobb County Board of Commissioners, said: "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."

Cupid added that next of kin have been notified and that the amusement park is a major part of the county's tourism, bringing in visitors from across the Southeast.

Mableton Mayor Michael Owens said city officials "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." He noted that Mableton Public Safety Director Dr. Kerry Stallings was working with Cobb County police and park security.

History of Deaths at Six Flags Over Georgia

According to the Doan Law Firm, which tracks amusement park accidents and represents victims, this death would be at least the seventh at the Georgia park. The park opened in 1967, and the first death came in 1989 when an 11-year-old boy became unresponsive after riding the park's Z-Force rollercoaster. The cause of death was undetermined.

Three other deaths were related to the park's roller coasters:

• A groundskeeper walking below the park's Batman: The Ride in 2002 was kicked in the head by a passing coaster rider and died.
• In 2006, a 45-year-old with a heart condition suffered a fatal heart attack while aboard the park's Goliath ride.
• A 17-year-old was decapitated in 2008 after climbing into a restricted area underneath the tracks of the park's Batman: The Ride roller coaster.

Other deaths at the park were associated with traffic accidents and one case of a bacterial infection suspected to have been sustained after using the park's Hurricane Harbor wave pool in 2014.

X2 Roller Coaster Closure

The Six Flags death comes less than two weeks after Six Flags Magic Mountain in Southern California announced the retirement of its famous X2 roller coaster following lawsuits alleging serious brain injuries caused by the ride.

More than 100 people alleged brain injuries from the X2 ride. Six Flags said the ride had passed a range of safety tests but that it had decided to retire it because it was "the right thing to do."

The park settled one wrongful-death lawsuit from the family of a 22-year-old man, Christopher Hawley, who died after riding the coaster in 2022, and three other lawsuits alleging traumatic brain injuries were filed.

Investigation

The Cobb County Police Department's major crimes unit is investigating the incident. Detectives are working to determine the circumstances surrounding the man's death.

Officials did not confirm how the person died, nor how the others were injured or their medical conditions after the incident at Six Flags Over Georgia.

The man's name and age were not released, out of respect for the family's privacy. His next of kin have been notified.

What Witnesses Saw

Witnesses described a horrifying scene. One witness told 11Alive that the falling man was captured on their souvenir picture. "He fell and hit the car three different times," the witness said.

A second witness described how the man was on the ride with his son, while his wife and daughter were watching from the ground when the tragedy occurred.

A third witness claimed on Reddit that he was next in line to get on the roller coaster when the train that the man was on returned to the station. "The train pulled into the station, all the riders were distressed and a man who was sitting next to [the person who died] was screaming that whoever was sitting next to him fell out," the Redditor posted, calling the experience "very sad and surreal."

Another witness, Logan Conner, told NBC News that he witnessed the moment the man flew out of his seat. "The man started levitating in the air sideways," he said. "We made direct eye contact with him."

Frequently Asked Questions: Six Flags Over Georgia Incident

What happened at Six Flags Over Georgia?

A man died and several others were injured in an incident involving a roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia on October 12, 2026. Witnesses said the man fell from the Goliath roller coaster and struck the ride several times. The park was evacuated, and Cobb County Police are investigating.

How did the man die at Six Flags?

Witnesses told local media that the man fell from the Goliath roller coaster and hit the ride three different times before falling. One witness said the fall was captured on a souvenir photo. Officials have not confirmed the exact cause of death.

What was the cause of death at Six Flags Over Georgia?

Officials have not confirmed the cause of death. Witnesses said the man was ejected from the Goliath roller coaster and fell, striking the ride multiple times. The Cobb County Police Department's major crimes unit is investigating the circumstances surrounding the death.

Which roller coaster was involved in the Six Flags death?

Authorities and Six Flags did not officially identify the roller coaster. However, local TV stations showed video of passengers being evacuated from the Goliath coaster. Witnesses also named the Goliath. The Goliath opened in 2006 and reaches speeds of 70 mph with a height of 200 feet.

How many people were injured at Six Flags Over Georgia?

Officials did not confirm how many people were injured or their conditions. WSB reported that four others were injured. Six Flags said it is providing support to the guests and team members affected.

When did the Six Flags roller coaster death happen?

The incident happened on Monday, October 12, 2026, at about 3:58 p.m. local time at Six Flags Over Georgia in Austell, Georgia, about 15 miles northwest of Atlanta.

Who was the man who died at Six Flags?

The man's name and age were not released by officials, out of respect for the family's privacy. Witnesses said he was riding the roller coaster with his son while his wife and daughter watched from the ground. His next of kin have been notified.

What is the Goliath roller coaster?

The Goliath is a roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia that opened in 2006. It reaches top speeds of 70 mph (about 113 kph) and heights of 200 feet (61 meters). The ride lasts about 3 1/2 minutes and features razor-sharp turns and colossal hills. On Six Flags' thrill scale, Goliath is ranked level four out of five.

Why did Six Flags close nine rides?

Six Flags temporarily closed nine roller coasters across six amusement parks "out of an abundance of caution" after the incident at Six Flags Over Georgia. The closures included similar attractions at Six Flags Magic Mountain in California. A spokesperson said the safety of guests and team members remains one of the company's highest priorities.

What did Six Flags say about the incident?

Six Flags said in a statement: "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 said it is cooperating fully with local authorities.

What did officials say about the Six Flags death?

Lisa Cupid, chairwoman of the Cobb County Board of Commissioners, said: "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."

Is this the first death at Six Flags Over Georgia?

No, this is at least the seventh death at Six Flags Over Georgia, according to the Doan Law Firm. In 2006, a 45-year-old man with a heart condition suffered a fatal heart attack while aboard the Goliath ride. Other deaths at the park have involved roller coasters and other incidents.

What is the X2 roller coaster closure?

The Six Flags death comes less than two weeks after Six Flags Magic Mountain in Southern California announced the retirement of its famous X2 roller coaster following lawsuits alleging serious brain injuries caused by the ride. The park settled one wrongful-death lawsuit from the family of a 22-year-old man who died after riding the coaster in 2022.

How many deaths have occurred at Six Flags Over Georgia?

According to the Doan Law Firm, there have been at least eight deaths tied to Six Flags Over Georgia customers or employees. These include a 1989 death involving an 11-year-old boy on the Z-Force coaster, a 2002 groundskeeper death involving Batman: The Ride, a 2006 heart attack on Goliath, and a 2008 decapitation involving Batman: The Ride.

What should witnesses do if they have information?

The Cobb County Police Department's major crimes unit is investigating. Witnesses and those with information should contact the Cobb County Police Department. Six Flags said it is cooperating fully with local authorities.

Is Six Flags Over Georgia open after the incident?

The Georgia theme park was already scheduled to be closed Tuesday, according to a spokesperson. It operates on weekends in October but was open Monday for the Columbus Day holiday. It is unclear when the park will reopen following the investigation.