Cedar Point’s Millennium Force was closed Friday after a bracket came loose, and it reopened Saturday evening. The same week, an investigation continues into 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 runs out, we say so. A content note: this report discusses a death. The two stories are separate, and no report we have connects them.
What happened at Cedar Point?
Cedar Point confirmed it shut down Millennium Force on Friday after a metal bracket fell from one of the ride’s cars. A park spokesperson told 3News: “Earlier today, a small bracket became dislodged from a ride vehicle and landed in a guest area. No guests or team members were struck, and no injuries were reported.”
The statement added: “The ride was immediately taken out of service in accordance with established protocols and will remain closed as pending our internal review and additional state inspection to ensure safety before reopening to the public. The safety of our guests and team members is our highest priority.” At the time, there was no word on when it would reopen.
Is Millennium Force open again?
Yes. Marcus Leshock (@marcusleshock) posted on X that Millennium Force returned to service on Saturday evening. He shared this park statement: “The ride has resumed operations following the successful completion of maintenance inspections and all required safety checks. The safety of our guests and team members is our highest priority.” His post repeated that no guests or team members were hit and no injuries were reported.
UPDATE: Millennium Force has reopened at Cedar Point after a bracket dislodged and landed in a guest area. A park spokesperson released this statement about the roller coaster:
“The ride has resumed operations following the successful completion of maintenance inspections and all required safety checks. The safety of our guests and team members is our highest priority.”
No guests or team members were hit by the bracket and no injuries were reported.
Millennium Force returned to service @CedarPoint on Saturday evening.
— Marcus Leshock (@marcusleshock) October 18, 2026
Was the state inspection completed?
The information we have doesn’t say. Friday’s statement mentioned an internal review and an additional state inspection. Saturday’s statement refers to “maintenance inspections and all required safety checks.” The wording differs, and the information we have doesn’t explain how.
What caused the bracket to come loose?
That hasn’t been reported. We aren’t speculating.
Has something like this happened before?
3News said the episode recalls one from 2021, when a bracket piece fell from Cedar Point’s Top Thrill Dragster and struck a Michigan guest in the head. The guest later sued, claiming a traumatic brain injury, and the two sides reached a confidential settlement in 2024, according to 3News. The reports say no one was struck this week.
Has Millennium Force had other issues?
According to 3News, several riders claimed earlier this year that they could no longer fit because of shorter seatbelts. Cedar Point later acknowledged the belts had been shortened and said they would eventually be replaced.
What is Millennium Force?
What happened at Six Flags Over Georgia?
According to CNN, a man died after falling from Goliath on Monday. CNN named him as Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, 42, an Atlanta resident who died after falling from the coaster, according to police. CNN described him as a teacher and a “cherished member” of Wesley International Academy, a public charter school. His funeral was scheduled for Monday afternoon, according to a Facebook post from his mosque.
Police said four minors were injured, with no further details about their condition to be released because of their age. The park reopened Friday, and Cobb County Chairwoman Lisa Cupid confirmed Goliath has been closed since the incident.
Where does the investigation stand?
Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John King said in a Thursday statement that an investigative team is reviewing evidence, equipment, and documentation to determine whether state safety requirements were followed. He plans a news conference next week with an update.
No findings were released at a Friday news conference. Cupid said verified information would be shared “when it is appropriate.” “Agencies are still active and need space to do the work without speculation,” she said. “Our community deserves a fact-based review, a thorough review with clear answers when the responsible agencies are able to give them.”
Did Goliath pass its inspections?
CNN reported that safety records from 2016 to 2026 show Goliath appears to have passed annual state safety inspections. King said, “Goliath’s most recent OCI inspection occurred on March 16, 2026. No violations, deficiencies, citations, or red tags were reported during that inspection.”
The records do show some issues, including an inspection report earlier this year noting that the ride’s bushings needed replacement. WSB reported that bushings are components that help reduce vibration, and CNN has asked Six Flags where they’re located.
Are other coasters closed?
A Six Flags spokesperson told CNN on Tuesday that at least 10 roller coasters across six other locations in the U.S. and Canada are closed “out of an abundance of caution.” Earlier reporting counted 10 coasters in total, and the information we have doesn’t reconcile the two counts.
What did visitors say?
Some parkgoers told CNN they weren’t put off from returning on Friday. One mother who visits about two or three times a week said, “It’s Fright Night! I mean, honest to God, if the Goliath was open tonight, I would ride that Goliath.” A Texas grandmother said, “I feel bad for the family. My heart goes out to them, but you know, accidents happen.”
What did the experts and the manufacturer say?
Brian Avery, a University of Florida professor who specializes in ride safety, called Bolliger & Mabillard’s record “stellar.” He noted that Goliath has a waist restraint but no over-the-shoulder harness, which he believes should be considered. “If you have your primary fail, what are you left with? Yeah, nothing,” he said.
That’s a general comment, and it isn’t a finding about Monday. The cause hasn’t been determined. Bolliger & Mabillard called the accident “tragic” and said it is investigating, but would have no further comment “until we have a better understanding of what transpired.”
Does any of this involve Disney?
Neither report mentions Disney, and we aren’t suggesting any Disney attractions are affected. For any park on your itinerary, check its official page for ride status before you go.
Where can I find updates?
Look to official sources, including Cedar Point, Six Flags, and the Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner’s office. Our thoughts are with Kariem’s family and everyone affected. We’ll keep following both stories, and we’d like to hear from you: how are you thinking about park days this fall? Tell us in the comments.
