Canada’s Wonderland has taken the precautionary measure of shutting down two of its roller-coasters following an incident at a Six Flags park in Georgia that resulted in the death of one individual and injuries to several others. The Behemoth and the Leviathan were both closed on Monday, as confirmed by Grace Peacock, a spokesperson for Canada’s Wonderland, which is under the ownership of Six Flags.
Peacock emphasized that the temporary closures of similar attractions across their parks were implemented out of an abundance of caution to prioritize the safety of guests and staff. Details regarding the cause of the man’s death and the injuries sustained by others have not been officially disclosed. Witnesses recounted seeing the man exiting his seat during the ride, prompting an investigation by detectives from the Cobb County Police Department’s major crimes unit.
No specific timeframe has been provided for the reopening of the rides, according to Peacock. Additionally, in response to the incident at Six Flags Over Georgia, where the tragic event occurred, Six Flags closed nine roller-coasters across six of its amusement parks. While the roller-coaster involved in the incident was not identified, footage from local TV stations showed passengers being evacuated from the Goliath coaster.
As a precautionary measure, La Ronde, a park in Montreal that was previously owned by Six Flags, has temporarily closed its Goliath roller-coaster for a safety review in collaboration with the ride’s manufacturer. The Georgia roller-coaster, which commenced operations in 2006, boasts top speeds of approximately 113 km/h and heights of 61 meters, offering riders an exhilarating experience of navigating sharp turns and soaring over massive hills during the approximately 3-1/2 minute ride.
This unfortunate incident marks at least the seventh death at the Georgia park and comes shortly after Six Flags Magic Mountain in Southern California announced the retirement of its renowned X2 roller-coaster due to lawsuits alleging severe brain injuries caused by the ride.
