Six Flags shares decline following deadly roller coaster incident
One person died and several others were injured in an incident involving the Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia, according to reports.
Key points
- Six Flags shares fell more than 14% Tuesday after a deadly incident at Six Flags Over Georgia.
- One person died and several others were injured Monday on the Goliath roller coaster.
- Six Flags is closing Goliath and nine other similar attractions at its parks.
Six Flags Entertainment shares dropped more than 14% on Tuesday following a deadly roller coaster incident at Six Flags Over Georgia. One person died and several others were injured in the incident on Monday, according to a statement from Georgia's Cobb County Board of Commissioners.
The board's chairwoman, Lisa N. Cupid, said county authorities are working with Six Flags and other partners in the investigation. Reports citing local police said the incident happened on the Atlanta-area park's 200-foot-tall Goliath roller coaster shortly before 4 p.m. Monday.
What witnesses reported
Riders were later seen being evacuated from the roller coaster after it stopped near the top of the ride, according to a report. Witnesses told a local news station that they saw a man fall from the roller coaster and strike the ride several times.
We were deeply saddened by the guest incident at one of our parks yesterday. Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with the guest's family, friends, and loved ones.
— Six Flags Over Georgia spokesperson
Park response and market impact
A Six Flags Over Georgia spokesperson told CNBC that the park team is cooperating with local authorities and providing support to those affected. The spokesperson said Six Flags Entertainment is temporarily closing Georgia's Goliath and nine other similar attractions at its parks.
The spokesperson said, "We were deeply saddened by the guest incident at one of our parks yesterday. Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with the guest's family, friends, and loved ones." Tuesday's decline was the stock's worst day since August and put shares at their lowest level since December 2009. At the close, shares had fallen by more than 50% over the past year.
