Nick Mendenhall made a spontaneous decision to treat his 14-year-old son to a day at Six Flags, but the outing turned tragic. A 42-year-old man lost his life on Monday after falling from the Goliath roller-coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia, located north of Atlanta. Authorities reported that he was ejected from his seat, striking other riders before landing below the roller-coaster.
Following the incident, Six Flags has temporarily shut down Goliath and nine similar roller-coasters at six of its North American parks, including two at Canada’s Wonderland near Toronto. La Ronde in Montreal has also closed a roller-coaster acquired during the park’s previous ownership under Six Flags.
Mendenhall had just ridden the Goliath with his son approximately 15 minutes before the tragic event unfolded. He recounted his observations to As It Happens host Dave Seglins, sharing details from their conversation.
Reflecting on the incident, Mendenhall expressed that he and his son are coping well, with overwhelming support from concerned individuals reaching out to discuss the incident. Despite the challenging nature of processing the events, he remains in good spirits. His son, who did not witness the fall as he was in line for another ride at the time, is also doing fine.
The Goliath ride, a favorite for Mendenhall and his son, had been frequented by them multiple times in recent weeks. Mendenhall explained that his son’s persistence led to the impromptu visit to the park on a day he initially planned to work. Witnessing the tragic event while on a work call, Mendenhall was quick to react and inform others about the incident.
Describing the sequence of events, Mendenhall recounted the harrowing moment when the man fell from the roller-coaster, emphasizing the shock and sadness of the situation. Despite the distance and obstructed view, Mendenhall’s vivid account conveyed the impact of the incident.
Acknowledging the speculation surrounding the cause of the accident, Mendenhall refrained from assigning blame and emphasized the need for understanding and support for the park employees. He expressed hope that the investigation would reveal the true cause and emphasized the importance of avoiding sensationalism in discussing the incident to protect the emotional well-being of all involved.
