Roller Coaster Decapitates South Carolina Teen

A teenager was decapitated by a roller coaster after he hopped a pair of fences and entered a restricted area today at Six Flags Over Georgia, authorities said. Officials are uncertain why the 17-year-old from Columbia, SC, scaled two 6-foot fences and ignored signs that said the restricted area was dangerous. Witnesses reported he was retrieving a hat he had lost while on the ride earlier.

Police said the ride was going full-speed when the teen was struck. The ride's top speed is 50 mph, according to the Six Flags Web site. No one riding on the roller coaster was injured. The teen's friend also entered the restricted area but was not injured. (More Six Flags stories.)