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Witnesses describe horrifying moment when man was killed on Six Flags Goliath roller coaster
Witnesses have described the horrifying moment when a man was killed after falling from the Goliath rollercoaster at Six Flags Over Georgia.
It has been confirmed that one man has died and several more customers were injured in an incident on Monday afternoon.
Although officials have yet to confirm exactly what happened on the Goliath rollercoaster, eyewitness accounts are now rolling in from people who witnessed the event, which took place at Six Flags Over Georgia, 24km northwest of Atlanta.
Rider heard "scream" while ascending rollercoaster during deadly incident
One eyewitneess told 11Alive News that they were riding on the Goliath rollercoaster, but heard "screams" as they began to descend to its big drop.
"We looked down and we saw people running and panicking," the witness said. "As we were ascending, we got stuck.
They said, following the incident, that Six Flags workers had to put bungee cords around the waists of riders and help them walk down the ride itself.
A spokesperson for Six Flags said that park staff and local authorities responded "immediately" to the incident and are currently cooperating with the authorities as they investigate what happened.
"We are deeply saddened by the guest incident at our park today," a statement read. Six Flags has now closed nine rollercoasters, which are similar attractions, across six of its parks "out of an abundance of caution."
Next of kin for man killed on Goliath rollercoaster have been "informed"
Lisa Cupid, the chairwoman for the Cobb County Board of Commissioners has said that, following the incident, the next of kin for the man killed have now been informed.
Speaking on the tragedy, she said: "I cannot imagine the horror the patrons and employees witnessed today, and my heart aches for the family who lost a loved one.
"We are all grappling with how something so devastating could happen at a place that has given generations of families such happy memories."
As per Six Flags records, the Goliath rollercoaster was originally opened in 2006. The ride itself reaches heights of 200 feet and can go as fast as 70mph.
This is the sixth death noted at Six Flags Over Georgia; in 2006, a man was have suspected to have died from a heart attack whilst also riding the Goliath rollercoaster, according to Doan Law Firms, whose remit includes overseeing amusement park accidents.
Six Flags remains one of the most dominant and popular owners of amusement parks across America; the company currently has 34 properties across the entire country, which includes 20 amusement parks and 14 water parks.