Six Flags Over Georgia Goliath ride evacuated after one visitor dies, say officials

A man has died following an incident at Six Flags Over Georgia, officials have said.

The Goliath roller coaster - one of the park’s largest rides - has been evacuated following the incident at the park in Austell.

Riders on the roller coaster were left stuck at an incline as the evacuation attempts began at around 5pm local time on Monday (12 October).

A news helicopter from WSB-TV captured footage of people being removed from the ride.

In the footage, people can be seen being helped down a stairway attached to the ride’s lift hill.

In a statement shared with Entertainment Weekly, a spokesperson for the park 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 Goliath has been evacuated following the incident (Six Flags Over Georgia)

The statement continues: “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.”

Witness Cody Alcorn told 11Alive that the man died after falling off the roller coaster.

"He was in our pictures," the witness said. "He fell and hit the car three different times."

Officials are yet to confirm how the man died and the cause of the accident is not yet known.

Mableton Mayor Michael Owens released a statement following the tragedy, to say city officials were 'deeply saddened' by the incident.

"Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with the individual’s family, friends, and loved ones during this difficult time," the statement continued.

"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."

One man has died following an incident at Six Flags Over Georgia (Atlanta News First)

The Goliath, which opened at the park in 2006, reaches speeds of up to 70mph and has an elevation of around 200 feet.

On its website, Six Flags Over Georgia says the Goliath ‘challenges even the bravest of the brave’ and features a ‘vertiginous 12-story drop, followed by a heart-pounding race through a 540-degree spiral’.

LADbible has reached out to Six Flags Over Georgia for comment.

The death at Six Flags Over Georgia comes just weeks after a roller coaster at the Six Flags Magic Mountain theme park in California was shut down after being linked to a series of injuries.

More than 100 people say they had been left injured after riding on the X2 roller coaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain.

The shut down was announced following a CNN investigation that found the coaster had been linked to incidents of brain damage and, tragically, deaths, prompting the theme park to shut the ride down.

The ride, which had previously been marketed by Six Flags as a 'rite of passage for the ultimate daredevil', has been linked to several incidents over the last 20 years.