A man died and four others were reportedly injured Monday afternoon after an incident on the Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia in Austell, Georgia.
We’ve reached out to Six Flags for comment and will update this article when they respond.
The incident occurred around 5 p.m. on October 12, 2026. Witnesses and local reports indicated that a man fell from the ride and struck the coaster car multiple times during the fall. One witness told local media, “He was in our pictures. He fell and hit the car three different times,” referring to souvenir photos taken from the ground.
The ride stopped on an incline, stranding other passengers. Emergency crews and park staff evacuated riders four at a time via a stairway attached to the lift hill. News helicopters captured the evacuation. The park was shut down for the remainder of the day.
WSB-TV reported that four other people were injured and taken to hospitals. It was not immediately clear whether those injuries occurred in connection with the fall or during the evacuation and response. The victim’s identity has not been released.
Six Flags Over Georgia issued 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 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.”
Goliath is a steel hypercoaster manufactured by Bolliger & Mabillard. It opened in 2006, stands 200 feet tall, and reaches speeds of up to 70 mph. It features a large first drop and a 540-degree spiral. A previous medical-related death occurred on the ride in 2006 when a rider became unresponsive.
The Cobb County Police Department and park officials are investigating the cause. Early unconfirmed accounts, including from social media and Reddit, suggested a possible restraint issue, with one witness describing a seat whose restraint was found unlatched after the train returned to the station. Authorities have not confirmed the circumstances.
This is a developing story. Major roller coaster incidents remain rare in the U.S., where parks operate under state-level safety and inspection requirements.