Six Flags Closes 9 Roller Coasters After Fatal Georgia Incident
The company temporarily shut down similar models across North America following a death on the Goliath ride.
Six Flags announced Monday it has temporarily closed nine roller coasters similar to the "Goliath" ride at Six Flags Over Georgia, where a fatal incident occurred. The closures affect six theme parks across North America.
The company stated that "the safety of our guests and associates remains one of our highest priorities." The incident at Six Flags Over Georgia involved a fatality and injuries on the Goliath roller coaster.
The affected coasters, all manufactured by Bolliger & Mabillard with the exception of the Goliath at Magic Mountain, include Nitro at Great Adventure; Raging Bull at Great America; Behemoth and Leviathan at Canada's Wonderland; Goliath at Magic Mountain; Fury 325 and Thunder Striker at Carowinds; and Orion and Diamondback at Kings Island.
These hypercoasters, as defined by Six Flags, are typically over 200 feet tall and prioritize airtime and speed, often featuring large camelback hills designed to maximize weightlessness. Some of the closed rides exceed 90 miles per hour and stand over 300 feet tall.
Bolliger & Mabillard, a Swiss-based company that has designed coasters for numerous parks worldwide since 1988, stated it is "actively investigating the incident." The company expressed its condolences to those affected by the accident. The Goliath coaster at Magic Mountain was manufactured by the now-defunct Swiss company Giovanola.
The Raging Bull at Great America, which opened in 1999, is the oldest of the temporarily closed rides. Orion at Kings Island, which debuted in the summer of 2020, is the newest. Fury 325 at Carowinds is described by Six Flags as the longest, fastest, and tallest among the closed coasters, reaching a top speed of 95 miles per hour, a length of 6,600 feet, and a peak height of 325 feet.