AUSTELL, Ga. — Rides are running again at Six Flags Over Georgia, but the Goliath roller coaster remains closed while state regulators work out what went wrong in the incident that killed a rider and injured four others on Oct. 12.
The park had its first full day back in operation on Saturday, with other coasters and its Fright Fest Halloween attractions open to guests. Goliath stayed fenced off as investigators continue their work.
Georgia law keeps any ride involved in a death or serious injury out of service until the state finishes a full investigation. The state insurance commissioner’s office, which permits and inspects amusement rides across the state, will decide when and under what conditions Goliath can run again.
State Insurance Commissioner John F. King said last week that his office has had investigators and engineers at the park around the clock, reviewing the ride itself, how it was operated, its records and whether every state safety rule was followed.
Goliath last passed a state inspection on March 16, 2026, with no violations, deficiencies, citations or red tags noted. Fixed rides in Georgia must be inspected before they first open to the public and at least once a year after that, and inspectors can show up without warning and pull an unsafe ride from service.
Two investigations are running side by side. Cobb County police are leading the law enforcement review of the incident, while the state office handles ride safety and regulatory compliance. King said his office will release its findings once the work is done and will act under Georgia law if it finds violations.
The four people hurt were children. Some guests who returned over the weekend said they were steering clear of rides or waiting for answers about the cause, and the park says it aims to meet or beat industry safety standards without detailing any changes to its operations.
Section: More Atlanta GA crime news
Filed under: Atlanta GA Public Safety News
