Maintenance contractor dies in pond at Six Flags Over Georgia

What a horrible way to find out that Six Flags is delivering on its promise to improve the parks.

Sad story. But I don't get why they have to mention an on-ride accident that happened over two years ago. It has absolutely no relation to this story other than it took place in the same location. Are they trying to show there's some kind of "trend" going on we need to worry about?

You can't blame Six Flags for this. A contractor did something unsafe and paid for it. You hire contractors because you expect that they're experts at what they do.

Now how exactly did this guy fall in and nobody could help him out? Seems a bit weird that a man im guessing, mid thirties or such will die after falling in water frigid or not, especially with people available to help him.

My first thought is that this is sad and I feel sorry for the family and my thoughts and prayers go out to them.
My next immediate thought is, "Were there any OSHA violations?" Surely something was awry. The link does not open in my browser. If he did indeed do something unsafe, will SFI be fined or sued? (Probably a stupid question.) Given the very low temperatures they have been experiencing, frigid water temperatures could have allowed hypothermia to set in, which happens very quickly.

The article says the guy was 25 years old and that he fell into the pond when a railing on the boat gave way.

Not being familiar with the park, I'm wondering how shallow this shallow pond is? How high above the water surface would the guy be? Would he be standing on the deck of the boat itself or have a ladder, etc?

Did the railing give way because he was leaning against it? Standing on it? Have something propped up against it? Or was it because the railing itself was in poor condition?

I still wonder how it took them 30 minutes to rescue the guy from a shallow pond. It said one co-worker tried to rescue him, but then apparently they waited until the FD arrived.

Sounds like there's more questions than answers right now.

This was just an accident that could happen anywhere. It just so happened to be at an amusement park.

Yes you are right, gomez. However, because he was at a workplace where safety is governed by OSHA, questions like this will be brought up and I just wonder how long it will be until we will get answers.

RGB, I agree that bringing up past accidents is bad, but the media does it anytime there is a new accident or death at any park U.S.A.

It wouldn't be Six Flags that is fined if there are violations, the man was working for a contractor, and I don't think that Six Flags would be stupid enough to hire a contractor that isn't certified and insured.

Unless it was Six Flags' boat, or they knew about an unsafe condition and didn't take measures to improve it, I don't think you can possibly blame them.

I also wonder why, in a "shallow" lake that the man couldn't be helped sooner.

Yeah my "favorite" media thingy is every summer they do some story on 60 minutes or 20/20 or somewhere on "Are Theme Parks Safe?" and then spend the entire story covering carnival accidents and showing footage of major theme parks in between the story bits!