ORLANDO, Florida. —
Several central Florida roller coasters are owned by the same company as the Six Flags Over Georgia roller coaster where a man fell from Monday.
Witnesses told local news stations that the man fell from a car on the Goliath roller coaster and hit the ride several times. A witness said the falling man was captured in his souvenir photos taken during the ride.
>>More: 1 dead after roller coaster incident at Six Flags in Georgia
After the incident, attention turned to rides the company made in central Florida, including five at SeaWorld, one at Universal Islands of Adventure and four roller coasters at Busch Gardens in Tampa.
Mako closed
SeaWorld Orlando took extra precautions and temporarily closed Mako, one of the park’s five roller coasters made by Swiss company Bolliger & Mabillard.
Mako will remain closed while engineers and safety experts ensure the restraint system and the rest of the ride are ready to go, a SeaWorld spokesperson told WESH 2.
Mako opened in 2016 and has carried thousands of passengers without a serious incident involving any of the ride’s mechanisms for 10 years.
Other roller coasters
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 worried”
Attorney Michael Haggard, who represented the families of those killed or injured on the rides, said the death at the Mableton, Ga., theme park should prompt every park to close all rides made by that company, Bolliger & Mabillard, until a full investigation is conducted.
“I would be very concerned,” Haggard said. “The question is, ‘Are these restraint systems appropriate?’ Are they dual restraint systems, i.e. a lap bar and a seat belt? What is the situation? “And yes, on every journey, there is the same risk of someone being ejected.”
Haggard represented the family of 14-year-old Tire Sampson, who died in a free fall on International Drive in March 2022.
An investigation revealed that the seat restraint system had been mishandled, allowing the boy to escape.
Around noon Tuesday at SeaWorld, WESH 2 observed what appeared to be security experts in the Mako loading area checking transport vehicles.
It is unclear when these roller coasters will reopen.
WESH 2 received the following statement from SeaWorld:
“Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone involved in the tragic incident at Six Flags in 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 regularly 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 manufacturer Bolliger & Mabillard:
“We are deeply saddened by this tragic accident. Our hearts go out to the family and those affected. We are actively investigating the incident and will not make any further comment until we have a better understanding of what happened.”
Busch Gardens has confirmed that all of its rides operated by this company are open.
WESH 2 contacted Universal Orlando Resort about the Hulk roller coaster.
Death in 2025 at Epic Universe
In September 2025, 32-year-old Kevin Rodriguez Zavala was found unconscious after riding the Stardust Racers roller coaster at Universal Orlando.
He died from multiple blunt force impacts after hitting his head during the ride.
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