Canada's Wonderland Closed: Behemoth and Leviathan Shut After Fatal Six Flags Georgia Incident

Two of Canada's biggest roller coasters are standing still today. Canada's Wonderland in Vaughan, Ontario, has temporarily closed Behemoth and Leviathan — its two signature thrill rides — after a deadly incident on a similar coaster at a Six Flags park in Georgia. The closures are precautionary, and there is no date yet for reopening.

For anyone planning a trip to the Vaughan park this week: the two headline coasters are off-limits for now, and the park has announced no other ride closures.

Canada's Wonderland closes Behemoth and Leviathan

According to CP24, Canada's Wonderland confirmed on Monday that both Behemoth and Leviathan are closed. Grace Peacock, a spokesperson for the Vaughan park, said the rides were shut down "out of an abundance of caution," adding that "the safety of our guests and team members remains one of our highest priorities."

According to CityNews, the two coasters were closed late Monday afternoon — Thanksgiving Monday in Canada, when the park was open. Six Flags Entertainment spokesperson Sara Gorgon told CityNews the pair are "similar attractions" to the coaster involved in the Georgia incident. The park has not announced when either ride will reopen. CTV News also reported that roller-coasters at La Ronde in Montreal were shut down as a precaution.

What happened at Six Flags Over Georgia

According to the Associated Press, one person died and several others were injured in an incident involving a coaster on Monday afternoon at Six Flags Over Georgia in Austell, about 24 kilometres northwest of Atlanta. Officials have not confirmed how the person died or how the others were injured, and the cause remains under investigation.

Detectives with the Cobb County Police Department's major crimes unit are investigating, according to CBC News. Six Flags said its park team and local authorities responded immediately and that the company is cooperating fully with the investigation. In a statement, the company said it was "deeply saddened" and that its thoughts were with the victim's family and affected guests and staff.

Authorities and Six Flags have not officially identified the coaster involved. However, local television stations showed video of passengers being evacuated from the park's Goliath coaster, according to CBC News and the Associated Press. Goliath opened in 2006 and reaches about 113 km/h with a height of 61 metres, according to the park's website. Out of respect for the family, Six Flags said it would not share additional details.

Six Flags closes 9 similar coasters across 6 parks

The Wonderland closures are part of a wider precautionary shutdown. According to USA Today, citing reporting by The New York Times and the Associated Press, Six Flags temporarily closed nine roller coasters at six parks that are similar to the one involved in the Georgia incident.

The closed rides, according to reports attributed to Six Flags, are Raging Bull at Six Flags Great America in Illinois; Goliath at Six Flags Magic Mountain in California; Nitro at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey; Leviathan and Behemoth at Canada's Wonderland in Vaughan, Ontario; Fury 325 and Thunder Striker at Carowinds in North Carolina; and Orion and Diamondback at Kings Island in Ohio.

The shutdown does not establish that any of the closed rides has a mechanical problem. Several of the affected coasters share the Georgia ride's manufacturer, according to FTN News, though officials have not confirmed any shared safety concern.

Behemoth and Leviathan: Canada's two tallest coasters

The two closed rides are the biggest draws at Canada's Wonderland — and the two tallest coasters in the country. Leviathan, which opened in 2012, stands 306 feet (93.3 metres) tall and reaches 148 km/h, making it the tallest and fastest roller coaster in Canada. Behemoth, which opened in 2008, held those Canadian records until Leviathan arrived: it stands 230 feet tall, reaches about 124 km/h, and runs 5,318 feet of track.

Both are steel coasters built by Swiss manufacturer Bolliger & Mabillard, and the park is now a Six Flags property after the Cedar Fair merger, according to CTV News.

What Canada's Wonderland visitors need to know

If you are heading to Canada's Wonderland this week, check the park's official website or app for the latest operating updates before you travel, since the park has given no reopening timeline for either coaster. The closures apply to Behemoth and Leviathan only; the park has not announced a full-park shutdown.

Visitors with trips booked should plan around the loss of the park's two biggest coasters. No blanket refund or rescheduling policy has been reported; contact the park directly with questions.

The key question — what caused the Georgia incident — is now with investigators. Until they say more, the closures remain a precaution, not a finding.

Video: Crews rescue people stuck on a roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia after 1 killed — Associated Press

Video: One dead at Six Flags park in Georgia — NBC News

Sources

• USA Today — Six Flags closes multiple roller coasters similar to one linked to Georgia park death
• Canadian Travel News — Canada's Wonderland Roller Coaster Closures: Behemoth and Leviathan Shut After Fatal Six Flags Incident
• CP24 — Canada's Wonderland closes 2 rollercoasters as precaution after deadly incident in Georgia
• CTV News — Roller-coasters at Canada's Wonderland, La Ronde shut down as precaution after deadly incident
• Associated Press (via EMS1) — Six Flags closes 9 coasters nationwide after fatal Goliath incident in Georgia
• CityNews (via NewsBeep) — 2 Canada's Wonderland roller coasters shut down following fatal incident at Georgia park
• CBC News (via NewsBeep) — 2 roller coasters closed at Canada's Wonderland after someone dies on similar ride in Georgia
• FTN News — Six Flags Roller Coaster Death: 9 Rides Closed at 6 Parks
• NDTV — 1 Dead, Several Injured In Incident At Six Flags Roller Coaster In Georgia