A man died and several others were injured on the Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia on October 12, 2026, after witnesses reported he fell from the ride, according to Cobb County police and multiple outlets.
The incident occurred around 3:58 p.m. at the park in Austell, Georgia, when a man fell from the 200-foot-tall Goliath coaster, striking parts of the ride multiple times before hitting the ground, witnesses told local news stations. The park’s website describes the coaster, which opened in 2006, as a hypercoaster reaching 70 mph and featuring a 170-foot drop. The incident happened just before 4 p.m., as confirmed by the Cobb County Police Department, which is investigating the death and injuries.
Witnesses Describe Horrific Scene, Ride Evacuated
Witnesses also reported that the man’s fall was captured in souvenir photos taken during the ride. A guest told WXIA, He was in our pictures. He fell and hit the car three different times.
The Goliath coaster, designed by Bolliger & Mabillard Consulting Engineers of Switzerland, has a peak elevation of 200 feet and reaches speeds of 70 mph, according to the park’s website. The ride’s 170-foot initial drop and 175-foot secondary drop are part of its 3 1/2-minute journey through sharp turns and hills.
Cobb County Police confirmed one death and several injuries but did not immediately release details about the cause of the fall. The department’s Major Crimes Unit is investigating, and officials said the park and local authorities responded “immediately,” cooperating with the probe. A statement from the Cobb County Department of Emergency Communications confirmed the death but provided no additional context about the incident.
Six Flags Issues Statements, Temporarily Closes Similar Rides
The Raging Bull, a steel hypercoaster built by Bolliger & Mabillard, is the tallest and longest at Six Flags Great America, standing over 200 feet tall and spanning more than 5,000 feet. It was closed for several weeks in 2025 for a full repaint and reopened during Fright Fest that October. Six Flags has not specified how long Raging Bull might remain closed. The park, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary season, is next scheduled to open Friday, with its final operating day of the season on November 1.
Past Safety Concerns at Six Flags Over Georgia
The park said at the time it does not comment on pending lawsuits. The Goliath ride’s specifications include a 540-degree spiral and forces reaching up to 4 Gs. The ride’s 200-foot height and 70 mph speed align with its classification as a hypercoaster, a term used for rides exceeding 200 feet in height.
Community and Officials React
Mableton Mayor Michael Owens said the incident was a terrible tragedy,
adding, I cannot imagine the horror the patrons and employees witnessed today.
Cobb County Chairwoman Lisa Cupid called for support for the victim’s family and noted the county is working with the park and other appropriate partners
during the investigation. The City of Mableton’s Public Safety Director, Dr. Kerry Stallings, is coordinating with Cobb County Police and park security as the situation is addressed.
Witnesses expressed shock and frustration. One rider, quoted by WBRC, said, Being stuck up there, some people are really scared of that stuff. They need to do better.
The Goliath coaster remains closed as investigators examine the ride, with no timeline for its reopening provided. The incident adds to ongoing scrutiny of amusement park safety, particularly after recent high-profile cases involving similar rides. As the investigation continues, families and park officials await further details about what led to the tragedy.
The Cobb County Police Department has not yet identified the victim, and no details about the cause of the fall have been released. Local authorities have not yet disclosed whether mechanical failure, human error, or other factors caused the fall. The investigation is ongoing, with the Major Crimes Unit leading the probe.