This closure comes with a phrase in place of a specific reason: “an abundance of caution.” SeaWorld Orlando has closed its Mako coaster temporarily, and the park's statement ties the decision to a death at another park, Six Flags Over Georgia.
A content note: this report discusses a death. Every claim below is attributed to the party that made it, and we've been careful to separate facts from the questions that remain open. Here's the timeline, the statements, and what visitors in Orlando should know.
The Statement, Word for Word
Entertainment Weekly confirmed the closure, and a SeaWorld Orlando spokesperson emailed this to the outlet: “Our thoughts and prayers are with all of those involved in the tragic incident at Six Flags Over Georgia.”
The spokesperson said Mako, which opened in 2016 and comes from Swiss manufacturer Bolliger & Mabillard, “is temporarily closed out of an abundance of caution” in the wake of the death at Six Flags.
A second paragraph followed: “The safety of our guests and team members is a top priority. Our safety staff and ride technicians strive to maintain and deliver attractions that our guests can enjoy with confidence. That work includes regular ride inspections and ongoing collaboration with ride manufacturers and other engineering and safety experts.”
Reading Between the Lines Without Adding Any
Let's look at what's actually in those words. SeaWorld calls the closure temporary. It describes it as “out of an abundance of caution.” And it says the decision came “in the wake of” the death at Six Flags.
What the statement doesn't do is name a reason beyond that. It doesn't say Mako has a problem, and it doesn't say the manufacturer is the cause. It also doesn't give a reopening date, and the information we have doesn't describe any inspection under way.
The Detail Entertainment Weekly Highlighted
EW pointed out that Mako is from the same manufacturer as Goliath, the Six Flags Over Georgia coaster involved in Monday's incident. That's a statement about who built the rides. We're repeating it as reported and not treating it as SeaWorld's explanation, because SeaWorld didn't say that.
Monday in Georgia
Representatives for the Cobb Police Department in Marietta, Georgia, told EW that responders arrived at the park on Monday after a call at around 3:58 p.m. local time. “Several people were reported injured, and one person has died,” authorities said, adding that more information will be released following an ongoing investigation.
In a statement, Six Flags said personnel “are deeply saddened by the guest incident at our park today,” and offered “thoughts and heartfelt condolences.” The statement said emergency teams took action “immediately” and that the park is “cooperating fully with local authorities as they complete their investigation.”
Unconfirmed reports from local news and on social media indicate that a man fell out of the 200-foot-tall coaster near the end of the ride. The cause has not been confirmed, and we aren't describing it beyond what officials have said.
The Chain's Own Pauses
A Six Flags representative told EW earlier Tuesday that the chain has closed 10 coasters around the world, nine from Bolliger & Mabillard and one from the defunct company Giovanola. The report ties the closures to a guest reportedly being ejected from Goliath at Six Flags Over Georgia.
The coasters named in the report are Diamondback and Orion at Kings Island in Ohio, Goliath at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California, Nitro at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, New Jersey, Fury 325 and Thunder Striker at Carowinds, and Behemoth and Leviathan at Canada's Wonderland. That's eight, and the information we have doesn't name the others.
What Is a Hypercoaster, and Who Else Has One?
EW notes that Goliath at Six Flags Over Georgia is what's referred to in the industry as a “hypercoaster,” and that Bolliger & Mabillard's hypercoaster model operates at numerous parks around the world.
Two examples named in the report are Candymonium at Hersheypark and Apollo's Chariot at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. Busch Gardens Williamsburg is owned by United Parks, which also runs SeaWorld. Representatives for both parks didn't reply to EW's request for comment, and the information we have doesn't say whether those rides are open.
Earlier Events in the Report
EW noted that the Georgia incident came weeks after three individual lawsuits were filed against Six Flags Magic Mountain amid over 100 reports of alleged brain injuries from its X2 coaster, which the park subsequently announced would retire.
Park president Brian Oerding said in an online statement that the ride “consistently passed a multitude of safety tests,” and that “ride safety is a cornerstone of our business, and when we see guest confidence affected, we take it seriously.” Those are separate events at separate parks, and the information we have doesn't link them to Mako.
The Open Questions
The reporting doesn't tell us why the Georgia incident happened. It doesn't say how long Mako will stay closed or what SeaWorld's checks involve. And it doesn't say whether other parks will close rides of their own. Anyone offering answers to those questions is guessing, and we won't join in.
Planning an Orlando Trip Around the Closure
For visitors, the practical point is simple. SeaWorld describes Mako as temporarily closed, according to the report. If the coaster is a priority, check SeaWorld Orlando's official page for the current status before you go, and have a backup plan.
The report doesn't mention any Disney attractions, and we aren't suggesting any are affected. For any park on your itinerary, Disney or not, check the official page for closures and alerts.
A Closing Note
Our thoughts are with the family, friends, and loved ones of the man who died at Six Flags Over Georgia, and with everyone affected. Do you have SeaWorld plans coming up? Tell us in the comments how you're adjusting, and we'll keep following this story and update it as parks and officials share more.
