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Few headlines carry the weight of this one. A man has died at Six Flags Over Georgia, police said, and one of the park’s biggest rides was evacuated in the aftermath. Others were hurt. A great deal remains unconfirmed, and both the park and the city have said they won’t share more at this time out of respect for the family.
Because the facts are still limited, we’re keeping this report strictly to what police, officials, witnesses, and the park have said, and we’re labeling each source. Here’s what has been reported, the full statements released so far, and what isn’t known yet, per CNN.
What Police and Officials Have Said
A man has died at Six Flags Over Georgia, police said. Several others were injured, the police said.
Officials also confirmed to Channel 2 Cobb County Bureau Chief Michele Newell that one park visitor has died and four others were injured. The two reports describe the injured differently, “several” in one and “four” in the other, so we’re presenting both as reported and not reconciling them ourselves.
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What Witnesses Told WXIA
Witnesses told CNN affiliate WXIA they watched the man fall off a roller coaster. Those are witness accounts. The park’s own statements describe a “guest incident” and don’t say how it happened, and the information we have doesn’t include a confirmed cause.
The Goliath Evacuation
Channel 2’s NewsChopper2 flew over the park and showed people on the Goliath ride being removed from it. Riders were being evacuated four at a time. The ride has stopped, with a set of its cars at the top of the ride. Aerial video from WXIA also showed other riders being evacuated.
Six Flags Over Georgia is in Cobb County, about 10 miles west of downtown Atlanta, in the City of Mableton.
The Park’s Full Statement
In a statement shared with Channel 2 Action News, a Six Flags Entertainment Corporation spokesperson said:
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.
CNN’s reporting included a shorter version of the statement, made up of the first two sentences.
The City of Mableton’s Full Statement
After the death and the Goliath evacuation, the City of Mableton, where the park is located, released a statement from Mayor Michael Owens:
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.
Out of respect for the family and the ongoing investigation, we will refrain from commenting further at this time.
What Hasn’t Been Reported
It’s just as important to say what’s missing. The information we have doesn’t include the man’s identity, a confirmed cause, or the condition of the people who were injured. It also doesn’t say whether the Goliath or the rest of the park will stay open, or how long the investigation will take.
Both the park and the city have said they won’t share more at this time out of respect for the family. We’re respecting that by not filling in the blanks.
A Separate Story Reported Alongside This One
CNN noted that the death comes nearly two weeks after Six Flags Magic Mountain in California announced it will permanently close its ride X2, following a CNN investigation. Those are different parks and different rides, and the information we have doesn’t connect the two events. We mention it only because it was included in the original reporting.
A Note Before You Go
Our thoughts are with the man’s family, friends, and loved ones, and with everyone who was hurt or affected. We’ll keep following this story and update this report as information is confirmed by officials.
If you’re looking for updates, check official sources such as the park, Cobb County police, and the City of Mableton. And if you’re sharing this story, please stick to confirmed details and be kind to the people involved.
