Witnesses described a horrific scene, saying the man fell and hit the ride several times.
COBB COUNTY, Ga. — In a horrifying scene witnessed by dozens of park-goers, a man died after being ejected from a car on the Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia on Monday.
In a statement, Six Flags said they were "deeply saddened by the guest incident," and that park workers and local authorities responded immediately. Cobb County Police confirmed a death and said other injuries were reported. However, police did not elaborate on how the others were hurt.
Witnesses who were on the ride were emotional as they described a gruesome scene, saying the man hit the ride several times after he was ejected. One witness told Cody Alcorn that the falling man was captured on their souvenir picture taken while on the ride.
"He was in our pictures," the witness said. "He fell and hit the car three different times." He said the man's body hit others on the ride before falling onto the roof of a haunted house attraction below.
A woman said the man was on the ride with his son, while his wife and daughter were watching from the ground.
A husband and wife on the ride saw the man ejected from his car and bouncing off the coaster three times.
"We saw it all," the man said.
"We were having a great time and to just screaming 'Oh my God, what is happening?' " the woman said.
They both said workers checked their safety harness before the ride.
The accident left riders stuck on an incline and forced a park evacuation. The man who was killed was not on that car, but on a second coaster that was ahead of them.
Video from 11Alive SkyTracker shows the coaster stopped on an incline as of 5 p.m.
Workers were in the process of getting the riders out of the cars and onto a stairway.
In its statement, Six Flags said, "We are deeply saddened by the guest incident at our park today. Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with the guest’s family, friends, and loved ones. We are also providing support to the guests and team members affected."
"The park team and local authorities responded immediately, and we are cooperating fully with local authorities as they complete their investigation. Out of respect for the family’s privacy, we will not be sharing additional details at this time," the statement added.
The cause of the accident is not yet known.
The Goliath, which was manufactured by Bolliger & Mabillard, opened in 2006.
According to the Six Flags website, it reaches a speed of 70 miles per hour with an elevation of 200 feet.
As this investigation unfolds Six Flags said in a statement it has temporarily closed similar attractions across its parks out of an abundance of caution.
Cobb County Board of Commissioners Chairwoman Lisa Cupid made a statement Monday night about the tragedy.
"I cannot imagine the horror the patrons and employees witnessed today, and my heart aches for the family who lost a loved one," Cupid said.
She said she looks forward to learning more about the investigation when more information is released from law enforcement.
"In the meantime, please keep in your thoughts the family of the deceased, those who were injured, the employees and leadership of Six Flags, and our community. We are all grappling with how something so devastating could happen at a place that has given generations of families such happy memories," Cupid added.
Six Flags Over Georgia is currently operating on its weekend schedule; the next day the park is scheduled to be open is Friday.