June 4, 2001

28-Year Old Female Dies While Riding Goliath

Valencia, CA -- A 28-year-old female died Saturday while riding the Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain. The incident was reported when the train returned to the station after the two and half minute ride with the female rider collapsed and unconscious.

According to reports Goliath was closed Saturday for several hours while the Sheriff's department inspected the roller coaster. After no foul-play or mechanical failure was found the park reopened the attraction for the remainder of the day.

On Sunday afternoon an autopsy report released by the Los Angeles County Coroner's office stated that the woman died of a reptured aneurysm of the cerebral artery and bleeding near her brain stem. The condition may have been preexisting, but the coroner's office could not determine it.

Six Flags Magic Mountain closed Goliath at 5:30 p.m. Sunday and reported the incident to the state. The roller coaster will remain closed until the out come of the investigation.

Goliath opened in February 2000 and has operated without a major incident since then. The roller coaster features a 255-foot drop and a top speed of 85 mph as it races