SeaWorld Orlando Temporarily Closes Mako Following Fatal Six Flags Incident

SeaWorld Orlando temporarily closed its 200-foot hyper-coaster Mako following a fatal accident on a similar ride in Georgia. The 73-mph thrill ride shares a design and harness system with Goliath at Six Flags Over Georgia, where a man fell to his death on Monday. Bolliger & Mabillard manufactured both coasters.

Roller Coaster Closures Following the Incident in Georgia

The temporary shutdown affects a major attraction that opened at the Orlando theme park in 2016. According to a statement from SeaWorld Orlando, the park halted operations “out of an abundance of caution.” The ride shares the hyper-coaster designation with Goliath because its drop height exceeds 200 feet.

Theme park officials have not stated how long Mako will remain closed or when it will reopen. The ride utilizes a ride harness system identical to the one on the Georgia attraction. In response to the fatal incident, Six Flags temporarily shut down several roller coasters across its parks in the United States and Canada.

Bolliger & Mabillard Designs Global Hyper-Coaster Models

Bolliger & Mabillard is a prominent Swiss company that has designed roller coasters globally. Its hyper-coaster models operating at parks around the world include Mako at SeaWorld Orlando, Goliath at Six Flags Over Georgia, Candymonium at Hersheypark, Shambhala at PortAventura Park, Diamondback at King’s Island, Silver Star at Europa-Park, and Nitro at Six Flags Great Adventure.

SeaWorld emphasized its ongoing maintenance protocols in a public statement. “Our safety staff and ride technicians strive to maintain and deliver attractions that our guests can enjoy with confidence,” the park stated, noting that this work includes regular ride inspections and ongoing collaboration with ride manufacturers and other engineering and safety experts.

Central Florida Coasters Designed by Bolliger & Mabillard

The manufacturer has built numerous other high-speed attractions across Central Florida theme parks. Universal’s Islands of Adventure operates The Incredible Hulk Coaster from the same designer. SeaWorld Orlando features Manta, Penguin Trek, and Pipeline: The Surf Coaster. Nearby Busch Gardens Tampa houses Phoenix Rising, Montu, SheiKra, and Kumba.

This temporary closure follows another fatal roller coaster accident last year at Universal’s Epic Universe, where a 32-year-old man died from blunt impact injuries after riding the high-speed coaster Stardust Racers.

More on this story: Canada's Wonderland Closes Roller Coasters After Fatal Six Flags Incident in Georgia