Six Flags announced the immediate suspension of nine hypercoaster rides across six theme parks in North America on Monday, shortly after a fatal incident involving the Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia in Atlanta. The closure comes as investigators look into the crash that resulted in one death and additional injuries.
“The safety of our guests and associates remains one of our highest priorities,” the company stated in a press release. The affected rides span multiple locations: Nitro at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey; Raging Bull at Six Flags Great America in Illinois; Behemoth and Leviathan at Canada’s Wonderland; Fury 325 and Thunder Striker at Carowinds in North Carolina; and Orion and Diamondback at Kings Island in Ohio.
According to Six Flags, several of the closed coasters feature heights exceeding 300 feet and speeds over 90 miles per hour. Eight of the nine rides were manufactured by Bolliger & Mabillard, a Swiss-based design firm that has supplied attractions for Six Flags and other parks globally since 1988. Bolliger & Mabillard confirmed to ABC News that it is actively investigating the Georgia incident but declined to provide further details until the inquiry progresses.
“We are deeply saddened by this tragic accident. Our thoughts are with the family and those affected,” the company said. The one exception among the closed coasters is Goliath at Six Flags Magic Mountain, which was built by the now-defunct Swiss manufacturer Giovanola.
Six Flags defines hypercoasters as steel tracks rising above 200 feet that emphasize speed and airtime rather than inversions, often utilizing large camelback hills to create a sensation of weightlessness. Among the suspended rides, Raging Bull is the oldest, having opened in 1999. It was marketed as the “world’s first hyper-twister” with a 202-foot drop and top speed of 73 mph.
Orion at Kings Island is the newest of the group, debuting in 2020 with a 300-foot drop, a 91 mph top speed, and a track length of more than 5,300 feet. Fury 325 at Carowinds holds the records for size and speed among the closed attractions, featuring a 325-foot peak height, a 6,600-foot track, and a maximum velocity of 95 mph.
RIP to the victim. The theme park industry needs to take every precaution seriously, and this is a sobering reminder of that reality.
Going to the park next weekend is top of my mind, but this news makes me nervous. I hope they keep us updated on the investigation.
I’ve ridden Fury 325 a dozen times and it’s thrilling, not scary. Really hoping investigators find out what went wrong at Goliath.
Has anyone else noticed that most of these closed rides are B&M models? Does that point to a manufacturing issue or just bad timing?
Nine coasters? That seems like a massive overreaction just to be safe, but I guess they have no choice right now.
This is absolutely heartbreaking. My deepest condolences to the family and everyone affected by this terrible accident.