ORLANDO, Fla. —
Several roller coasters in Central Florida are from the same company as the Six Flags Over Georgia roller coaster that a man fell from on Monday.
Witnesses told local news stations the man had fallen from a car on the Goliath roller coaster and hit the ride several times. One witness said the falling man was captured in their souvenir photos taken during the ride.
>>More: 1 dead after incident on roller coaster at Georgia’s Six Flags
After the incident, attention turned to rides in Central Florida made by the company, including five at SeaWorld, one at Universal Islands of Adventure and four coasters at Busch Gardens in Tampa.
Mako closed
SeaWorld Orlando has taken extra precautions and temporarily shut down Mako, one of five roller coasters at the park made by the Swiss company Bolliger & Mabillard.
Mako will remain closed while engineers and safety experts make sure the restraint system and the rest of the ride are good to go, a spokesperson for SeaWorld told WESH 2.
Mako opened in 2016 and has carried thousands of riders without serious incidents involving any of the ride’s mechanisms for 10 years.
Other roller coasters
The other roller coasters made by the Swiss ride company at SeaWorld include Manta, Pipeline, Penguin Trek and Kraken.
The company also created the Hulk roller coaster at Universal’s Islands of Adventure.
‘I would be very concerned’
Attorney Michael Haggard, who has represented the families of those killed or injured on rides, said the death in Mableton, Georgia, at the theme park should prompt every park to close all rides made by this company, Bolliger & Mabillard, until a full investigation is done.
“I would be very concerned,” Haggard said. “The question surrounds itself as ‘Are these restraint systems proper? Are they dual restraint systems, meaning a lap bar and a seat belt? What is the situation?’ And yes, every ride has the same risk of someone being ejected.”
Haggard represented the family of 14-year-old Tyre Sampson, who fell to his death from the Free Fall ride on International Drive in March 2022.
An investigation revealed the seat restraint system was improperly manipulated, which allowed the boy to slip out.
On Tuesday around noon at SeaWorld, WESH 2 observed what appeared to be safety experts in the loading area of Mako checking the ride vehicles.
There is no word on when that roller coaster will reopen.
WESH 2 received the following statement from SeaWorld:
“Our thoughts and prayers are with all of those involved in the tragic incident at Six Flags over Georgia. The safety of our guests and team members is always our number one priority. We adhere to the highest safety standards. Our staff and technicians routinely inspect our rides and work closely with ride manufacturers and other engineering and safety experts to ensure we consistently meet and exceed the highest safety standards and guidelines.”
WESH 2 also received a statement from the co-owner of ride maker Bolliger & Mabillard:
“We are deeply saddened by this tragic accident. Our thoughts are with the family and those affected. We are actively investigating the incident and will not comment further until we have a better understanding of what happened.”
Busch Gardens confirmed all of its rides made by this company are open.
WESH 2 reached out to Universal Orlando Resort regarding the Hulk coaster.
2025 death at Epic Universe
In September 2025, 32-year-old Kevin Rodriguez Zavala was found unresponsive after riding on the Stardust Racers roller coaster at Universal Orlando.
He died of multiple blunt impact injuries after hitting his head during the ride.