Two major Canadian amusement parks have temporarily closed three roller-coasters following a fatal incident at Six Flags Over Georgia in the United States that killed one person and left several others injured. Canada’s Wonderland in Vaughan, Ontario, has suspended operations of its Behemoth and Leviathan roller-coasters, while La Ronde in Montreal has temporarily closed its Goliath attraction. The closures were announced as a precaution while safety assessments are carried out following Monday’s incident in Georgia. The fatal incident occurred at Six Flags Over Georgia, near Atlanta, on October 12. Authorities said one person died and several others were injured in an incident involving a roller-coaster. Although officials had not initially identified the ride involved, local media reported that the incident occurred on the Goliath coaster. Witnesses said a rider appeared to fall from the moving coaster. Authorities have launched an investigation to establish exactly what happened and determine the circumstances surrounding the death. The identities of those involved and the full details of the injuries were not immediately available in the initial reports.
Six Flags Entertainment Corporation, which owns Canada’s Wonderland, said it had temporarily closed similar attractions across its parks out of an abundance of caution. The company said guest and employee safety remained a top priority and that it was cooperating with authorities investigating the Georgia incident. At Canada’s Wonderland, the Behemoth and Leviathan are among the park’s best-known high-speed roller-coasters. Both attractions have been temporarily taken out of service, and officials have not announced a reopening date. The park is located in Vaughan, north of Toronto, and attracts visitors from across Ontario and other parts of Canada.
In Montreal, La Ronde has also suspended its Goliath roller-coaster while it conducts a safety review in collaboration with the ride’s manufacturer. The park said the attraction would remain closed until the assessment was complete and it was satisfied that it could operate safely. The closures extend beyond Canada. Six Flags has temporarily suspended several other major roller-coasters at parks in the United States, including attractions at Kings Island in Ohio, Six Flags Magic Mountain in California, Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey and Carowinds in North Carolina. The measures affect rides considered similar to the coaster involved in the Georgia incident. Several of the affected rides were manufactured by Bolliger & Mabillard, a Swiss company that designs major roller-coasters for amusement parks worldwide. The manufacturer said it was investigating the incident and would not comment further until more information became available. The precautionary shutdowns highlight how a serious incident at one amusement park can prompt safety reviews across an entire chain of attractions. Roller-coaster operators routinely inspect restraint systems, track components, operating procedures and maintenance records to ensure rides meet required safety standards. For visitors planning trips to Canada’s Wonderland or La Ronde, the temporary closures may affect access to some of the parks’ major attractions. Guests are advised to check the parks’ official websites and social media channels for updates before travelling, as reopening dates have not yet been confirmed. Investigators in Georgia are continuing to examine the circumstances of the fatal incident. Until the cause is established and the relevant safety reviews are completed, the affected roller-coasters are expected to remain closed as a precaution.