[Chris]

ATLANTA, Georgia (CNN) -- A teenager died Saturday when he was decapitated at the Six Flags Over Georgia theme park outside Atlanta, authorities said.

The 17-year-old park visitor was killed after scaling two 6-foot fences around the Batman roller coaster, said a statement issued by park spokeswoman Hela Sheth. He was struck by the coaster and killed, she said.

"We do not know why this person was intent on gaining access to this restricted area," the statement said, noting that multiple signs are posted stating, "Danger Zone," "Do Not Enter" and "Authorized Personnel Only."

"Some witnesses have stated that the individual was trying to retrieve something he had lost," Sheth's statement said. "Others reported that he was trying to touch the ride. This is merely speculation at this point, and we are working with park visitors and local police to learn more."

No one on the ride was injured, she said.

Police said the incident occurred about 2 p.m.

The victim's family was at the park with him, Sheth said, and park representatives were with them Saturday evening.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family," she said

http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/06/28/theme.park.fatality/index.html

[MarkD]

I just read that on MSN http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25431893/&GT1=43001 I hate things like that happen but there are signs and fences out up for a reason.

BTW, shouldn't this be posted in a different menu since it is not Carowinds?

[Jonathan]

I am constantly amazed by the stupidity of some members of the human race.

I like how all of these articles tack on a bit about Kentucky Kingdom and Hellavator at the end, as if there is a comparison between a ride malfunction and a kid Darwining himself by scaling security fences to run under a coaster.

[KenB]

^ Same here, I just can't understand how people have no more sense than they do. It's not just climbing TWO fences, ignoring signs that say Restricted Area, etc. - but how do people get HIT by the freaking train? Unlike the lion's habitat at the zoo, you can predict where a roller coaster is going to be - on it's track. Don't stand on it, or underneath it in this case, when the train is coming. With this being a non-soundproofed B&M, it shouldn't be that difficult to hear that it's out on the course. I'm certainly not saying it's smart being in the restricted area to start with, but it's still mind-boggling that someone would be stupid enough to get in the way of a B&M inverted train once they were in said restricted area.

At least no innocent bystanders were hurt this time, unlike the prior similar incident with this ride 4-5 years back which broke the leg of a rider, in addition to killing the worker who was in the restricted area.

It is stupid how the media tacks on something unrelated like last year's accident at SFKK - one was an accident due to a mechanical malfunction, the other was someone putting themselves in harm's way. I guess to them it all happened at Six Flags, so it's related. Let's hope they don't get too many people thinking that a trip to Six Flags is very likely to put your extremities at risk of being chopped off.

[coasterfreak75]

It's amazing to me that the media is so quick to jump all over almost any park related accident. Wait, I don't think CNN covered the last kid to fall off a merry-go-round and break an arm. It must just not have the shock value.

[KenB]

And just to prove that there are people even more stupid than teenagers who jump in front of roller coasters and the media, now we have....the lawyers.

http://www.wistv.com/Global/story.asp?S=8580338&nav=menu36_2

The fences are "only" six feet tall? Um, WTF?

Hey, Mr. Lawyer, you really said everything when you said "Obviously, the young man exercised poor judgment" - end of story there, as far as I'm concerned. Yes, Six Flags was aware this kind of thing could occur, which is - pay attention now - WHY THE FENCES AND SIGNS ARE THERE! Do they need to be electrified, topped with barbed wire, AND be 15 feet tall? Of course you know if Six Flags did that, and someone injured themselves climbing said fence, there would be a lawyer wanting to sue them.

Whatever happened to common sense, and being responsible for your own actions?

Re-edited to correct my first edit saying this wasn't the family's attorney, apparently Mr. Flatt IS representing them from what I've read elsewhere.

[Davidtmp]

OK, I can't take it anymore. Ken, that was the last straw.
This idiot can't read, his parents didn't teach him to obey orders? Did he have no common sense? My parents didn't have to tell me "Now when you see a fence that has signs like Danger, keep out, and only authorize persons, don't climb it and get to the other side!" Another case of a lawyer getting paid because he knows the park will settle out of court and he gets his cut. The judicial system in America sucks for letting this kind of stuff happen. And to pull a previous death into this, um, he was an authorized person to be in there, he must have made a mistake to be killed. I am sure there was a reason for him to be in there.
Now if there was a gate that was open and the kid walked in, it may be different. If he scaled 2 fences for a stupid hat(had to have been a Cock's hat) that could be replaced for $12, like Ken said, he is responsible for his own actions. Maybe his friends could learn the lesson he should have known, Don't go against posted warning signs, they are there for your safety.
I hate this happened, but don't really feel sorry for the kid. Has anyone thought about the people on the ride who may have seen it coming and could do nothing?? They were just riding the ride, and now maybe they also have to live with the fact someone was hit who shouldn't have been anywhere around. Talk about having nightmares for the rest of your life.

[coasterbruh]

Oh shut up will ya! The kid made a mistake just like we all do. The kid used poor judgement. the problem with people is they think everyone has to have the same mental capacity they do. Was it a seemingly un thought of move, of course, but that doesnt give us a right to say he should have known better and what not. He wasnt going to get a hat either!

The previous death, he wasnt authorized to be in that area at that particular time. Same situation in my opinion that lead to the same outcome. The kid is dead, end of story.