One person has died and several others have been injured following an incident involving a roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia in the United States, prompting the theme park operator to temporarily close nine similar rides across its properties.
Authorities have not disclosed the cause of the death or explained how the other people were injured in the incident, which occurred on Monday in the state of Georgia.
Cobb County Chairwoman Lisa Cupid confirmed the fatality and said the county’s major crimes unit was investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Police investigate fatal theme park incident
Cupid said the deceased person’s next of kin had been notified. She also expressed sympathy for the family and acknowledged the distress experienced by visitors and employees who witnessed the incident.
“A terrible tragedy occurred today at Six Flags Over Georgia,” Cupid said in a statement.
She added that she could not imagine the horror experienced by those present and offered condolences to the family who had lost a loved one.
Investigators have not publicly established how the person died. Authorities have also not provided further details about the injuries suffered by the other people involved.
Six Flags closes nine similar roller coasters
Six Flags said the park and local authorities responded immediately and that the company was cooperating fully with officials investigating the incident.
In a statement to US media, a company spokesperson said the operator was deeply saddened by the incident involving a guest at the park.
The company has also temporarily closed nine similar roller coasters across six parks as a precaution while the situation is assessed.
Officials have not confirmed which ride was involved in the Georgia incident. However, local media reports identified it as Goliath, a major roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia.
According to the park’s website, Goliath reaches speeds of up to 70 miles per hour (113 kilometres per hour) and rises to heights of approximately 200 feet (61 metres).
The ride’s identity and the precise circumstances of the incident had not been officially confirmed in the information provided by authorities.
Incident follows separate roller coaster controversy
The fatal incident comes after Six Flags decided the previous month to permanently close a popular roller coaster at one of its California theme parks.
That decision followed claims by dozens of people that they had suffered brain damage after riding the attraction.
The California closure and the Georgia incident involve separate rides, and the available information does not establish a connection between them.
Six Flags operates theme parks across North America. The temporary closure of nine similar roller coasters is intended as a precaution while the Georgia investigation continues.
Authorities have yet to release further details about the fatal incident, including its cause and the condition of those injured….Read more