Six Flags In Gurnee Closes Roller Coaster After Atlanta Death
You may have noticed quite a few news stories recently about roller coasters being linked to catastrophic injuries and deaths. You should plan on seeing some more, especially after the reaction to a rider’s tragic death Monday at an amusement park near Atlanta.
The incident at Six Flags Over Georgia left one person dead and several others injured. Authorities are investigating, and while witnesses reported seeing a man fall from the Goliath roller coaster, officials have not confirmed exactly what happened.
The fallout from that incident has now reached us right here in Illinois.
The Horrifying Events In Georgia Have Prompted Roller Coaster Closures In Other Parks, Including Right Here In Illinois
Six Flags Great America in Gurnee has temporarily closed Raging Bull, its towering, high-speed coaster, as part of a precautionary shutdown involving nine roller coasters across six parks in the Six Flags chain.
Other affected rides include Nitro at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey, Goliath at Six Flags Magic Mountain in California, Diamondback and Orion at Kings Island in Ohio, Behemoth and Leviathan at Canada's Wonderland in Ontario, and Fury 325 and Thunder Striker at Carowinds in the Carolinas.
The company says the closures involve attractions similar to the coaster involved in Monday's incident in Georgia. Six Flags has not announced a reopening timeline for the affected rides.
The Georgia coaster, Goliath, stands approximately 200 feet tall and reaches speeds of 70 mph. The investigation will hopefully shed light on what happened and whether any changes to ride inspections or safety procedures are needed.
It's Not Just The Georgia Tragedy That's Raising Questions About Roller Coaster Safety
Earlier this month, Six Flags Magic Mountain announced the permanent retirement of its X2 roller coaster in California following lawsuits alleging serious brain injuries among riders. The park had also settled a wrongful-death lawsuit involving a man who died after riding X2 in 2022.
Last year, a 32-year-old man died after riding a high-speed roller coaster at Universal Epic Universe in Florida. His death was ruled accidental.
It's important to remember that these incidents don't, by themselves, establish that roller coasters are becoming less safe. Investigations must determine the circumstances of each case, and allegations aren't the same as proven facts.
For now, the immediate concern is figuring out what happened in Georgia and whether similar rides require additional precautions.
For thrill-seeking Illinoisans hoping to ride Raging Bull, that means waiting for the all-clear.
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Gallery Credit: Stephen Lenz
