SeaWorld Orlando has temporarily closed its Mako roller coaster, and the park’s statement ties the decision to a death at Six Flags Over Georgia. Many readers have questions, and some can’t be answered yet.
This report is organized around those questions. Each answer is attributed to its source, and where the information isn’t available, we say so. A content note: this report discusses a death.
The early details come from several places, including a SeaWorld spokesperson, Six Flags, police, and Entertainment Weekly’s reporting. Keeping those voices separate helps avoid putting one party’s words in another’s mouth.
What did SeaWorld say?
Entertainment Weekly confirmed that SeaWorld Orlando has closed Mako. A park spokesperson emailed the outlet: “Our thoughts and prayers are with all of those involved in the tragic incident at Six Flags Over Georgia.”
The spokesperson said Mako, which opened in 2016 from Swiss manufacturer Bolliger & Mabillard, “is temporarily closed out of an abundance of caution” in the wake of the death at Six Flags.
The spokesperson added: “The safety of our guests and team members is a top priority. Our safety staff and ride technicians strive to maintain and deliver attractions that our guests can enjoy with confidence. That work includes regular ride inspections and ongoing collaboration with ride manufacturers and other engineering and safety experts.”
Is the closure permanent?
SeaWorld calls it temporary. The information we have doesn’t include a reopening date, and it doesn’t describe any inspection under way. SeaWorld’s statement does say its safety staff and ride technicians carry out regular ride inspections, but it doesn’t say what, if anything, is happening with Mako specifically.
Why Mako?
SeaWorld’s statement doesn’t give a reason beyond “an abundance of caution” in the wake of the death. Entertainment Weekly noted that Mako is from the same manufacturer as Goliath, the Six Flags Over Georgia coaster involved in Monday’s incident.
That’s a fact about who built the rides. SeaWorld didn’t say that’s why it closed Mako, so we aren’t saying it for the park.
What happened in Georgia?
Representatives for the Cobb Police Department in Marietta, Georgia, told EW that responders arrived at the park on Monday after a call at around 3:58 p.m. local time. “Several people were reported injured, and one person has died,” authorities said, adding that more information will be released following an ongoing investigation.
What did Six Flags say?
In a statement, Six Flags said personnel “are deeply saddened by the guest incident at our park today,” and offered “thoughts and heartfelt condolences.” The statement said emergency teams took action “immediately” and that the park is “cooperating fully with local authorities as they complete their investigation.”
How did it happen?
That hasn’t been confirmed. Unconfirmed reports from local news and on social media indicate that a man fell out of the 200-foot-tall coaster near the end of the ride. The report also describes a guest reportedly being ejected from Goliath. We aren’t characterizing what happened beyond what officials have said.
Has Six Flags closed other rides?
Yes. A Six Flags representative told EW earlier Tuesday that the chain has closed 10 coasters around the world, nine from Bolliger & Mabillard and one from the defunct company Giovanola.
The coasters named in the report are Diamondback and Orion at Kings Island in Ohio, Goliath at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California, Nitro at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, New Jersey, Fury 325 and Thunder Striker at Carowinds, and Behemoth and Leviathan at Canada’s Wonderland. That’s eight by name, and the information we have doesn’t name the rest.
What is a hypercoaster?
EW notes that Goliath at Six Flags Over Georgia is what’s referred to in the industry as a “hypercoaster,” and that Bolliger & Mabillard’s hypercoaster model operates at numerous parks around the world.
Do other parks have similar rides?
According to the report, Hersheypark and Busch Gardens Williamsburg operate B&M hypercoaster models under the names Candymonium and Apollo’s Chariot, respectively. Busch Gardens Williamsburg is owned by United Parks, which also runs SeaWorld.
Representatives for both parks did not reply to EW’s request for comment, and the information we have doesn’t say whether those rides are open or closed.
Is there any related background?
EW noted that the Georgia incident came weeks after three individual lawsuits were filed against Six Flags Magic Mountain amid over 100 reports of alleged brain injuries from its X2 coaster, which the park subsequently announced would retire.
Park president Brian Oerding said in an online statement that the ride “consistently passed a multitude of safety tests,” and that “ride safety is a cornerstone of our business, and when we see guest confidence affected, we take it seriously.” Those are separate events at separate parks, and the information we have doesn’t link them to Mako.
What isn’t known?
The reporting doesn’t tell us why the Georgia incident happened, how long Mako will stay closed, what SeaWorld’s checks involve, or whether other parks will close rides of their own.
Does this affect Orlando visitors?
If SeaWorld Orlando is on your itinerary, SeaWorld describes Mako as temporarily closed, according to the report. Check the park’s official page for the current status before you go, and have a backup plan.
The report doesn’t mention any Disney attractions, and we aren’t suggesting any are affected. For any park you plan to visit, Disney or otherwise, check its official page for closures and alerts.
Where can I find updates?
Look to official sources, including SeaWorld Orlando, Six Flags, and the Cobb Police Department. We’ll keep following the story and update this report as more is confirmed.
Our thoughts are with the family, friends, and loved ones of the man who died, and with everyone affected. Do you have SeaWorld plans coming up? Tell us in the comments how you’re adjusting.
