A fatal incident occurred at Six Flags Over Georgia amusement park in the US state of Georgia just before 16:00 local time on Monday. Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, 42, was ejected from a rollercoaster ride and struck other patrons before falling beneath the attraction, according to the Cobb County Police Department. The specific ride involved has not been officially confirmed by authorities, though aerial footage and witness accounts identified it as the Goliath rollercoaster.
The Goliath ride, which opened in 2006, features an elevation of 200 feet, a 170-foot plunge, a 540-degree spiral, and speeds of up to 70 miles per hour. The state’s insurance and fire safety commissioner’s office is conducting a safety review. Multiple witnesses described traumatic scenes as the incident unfolded, including reports of an unlatched safety restraint and an empty seat upon the ride’s return. Six Flags issued a statement expressing condolences to the victim’s family and loved ones.
Kariem was an IT manager, technology teacher and robotics coach at Wesley International Academy, a public charter school in nearby Atlanta, where he had worked for more than 12 years. His family described him as a passionate educator and father who had survived two bouts of cancer, with the most recent remission occurring in 2018. Outside work, he engaged in laser engraving, 3D printing, cooking and anime.
According to tracking by the Doan Law Firm, this marks at least the seventh death at Six Flags Over Georgia. The incident follows previous rollercoaster-related fatalities at Six Flags parks, including ejections in 2011 and 2013 that resulted in lawsuits and settlements. In response to the incident, Six Flags temporarily closed nine rides across the US and Canada as a precaution.
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