AUSTELL, Ga. — A man died after falling from the Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia on Monday, witnesses said, prompting the theme park chain to shut down similar rides at parks across the country while investigators work to determine what went wrong.

Several other people were injured in the incident at the park west of Atlanta, according to Cobb County officials. Officers assigned to the park responded to an emergency call at about 3:58 p.m. Officials told WSB-TV that four people were hurt. The extent of their injuries was not immediately released.

Authorities have not publicly described how the man fell, and neither police nor Six Flags has identified anyone involved. Detectives with the Cobb County Police Department's Major Crimes Unit responded to investigate the circumstances of the death.

"We are deeply saddened by the guest incident at our park today," Six Flags said in a statement. "Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with the guest's family, friends, and loved ones."

Witnesses describe horrific scene

Riders on the coaster told Atlanta television station WXIA that a man was ejected from his seat and struck parts of the ride several times before falling onto the roof of a haunted house attraction below.

"He fell and hit the car three different times," one witness told the station, adding that the falling man had been captured in the souvenir photo of their ride.

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