Six Flags closes roller coasters at several parks following accident in Georgia
The precautionary measure affects rides in California, New Jersey, Illinois, Ohio, North Carolina and Canada, while authorities investigate an incident that left one person dead and several others injured.
Image of a Six Flags roller coaster
Amusement park company Six Flags ordered the temporary closure of several roller coasters at various parks across North America as a precautionary measure following a fatal incident that occurred Monday afternoon at Six Flags Over Georgia, where one person died and others were injured.
According to Fox Business, the closures affect attractions in California, New Jersey, Illinois, Ohio, North Carolina and Canada. The company has not announced a date for the reopening of the suspended facilities.
A Six Flags spokesperson stated that the company is "deeply saddened" by what happened and that its "thoughts and heartfelt condolences" are with the victim's family, friends and loved ones.
The company noted that park staff and local authorities "responded immediately" and assured that it has cooperated fully with the agencies conducting the investigation.
Rides affected by closures
Among the roller coasters that have been temporarily shut down are Goliath at Six Flags Magic Mountain in California, Nitro at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey and Raging Bull at Six Flags Great America in Illinois.
At Kings Island in Ohio, a spokesperson confirmed to local station FOX19 the temporary closure of the Orion and Diamondback rides.
Meanwhile, Canada's Wonderland, located in Ontario, Canada, suspended operations of the Behemoth and Leviathan roller coasters, according to Six Flags spokesperson Sara Gorgon, who spoke to CityNews.
In North Carolina, closures include Fury 325 and Thunder Striker, according to Cincinnati-based television station WLWT.
The company cited the decision as a precautionary measure. Six Flags reiterated that it does not yet have a timeline for reopening the affected rides.
Authorities investigating fatal accident
She stated that Cobb County Police officers immediately responded to the scene and that detectives from the department's Major Crimes Unit are investigating the circumstances of the incident.
According to CBS News Atlanta, its cameras captured the evacuation of riders from the Goliath roller coaster following the incident.
So far, authorities have not publicly determined the cause of death or the injuries.
Six Flags told Fox Business that it had no additional information to share beyond the statement it issued. The news outlet noted that it had also contacted Cobb County authorities to request further information.
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