A 42-year-old educator died Monday after falling from the Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia, prompting the amusement park operator to temporarily shut down nine similar rides at six locations across North America.
Local authorities and Atlanta Public Schools identified the victim as Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, an IT manager, technology teacher and robotics coach at Wesley International Academy. Cobb County police said Kariem was thrown from his seat mid-ride, struck other park visitors, and landed on the ground below the attraction in Mableton, near Atlanta. Several other passengers on the train sustained injuries during the incident, officials said.
Witnesses describe restraint issues and sudden fall
Goliath reaches a height of 200 feet and speeds of up to 70 mph. The steel hypercoaster uses lap bars that secure riders across the waist and thighs rather than over-the-shoulder harnesses or seat belts, according to The Associated Press. Witnesses riding the attraction reported hearing unusual sounds before the fatal incident.
One woman who was in the car told television station WSB-TV that the restraints were clicking strangely and that ride attendants checked and pushed down on them multiple times before dispatching the train. Another rider told NBC that Kariem appeared to levitate sideways out of his seat while the ride was moving. Other patrons were trapped in their seats high on the tracks for more than an hour after the ride automatically stopped, WSB-TV reported.
Atlanta Public Schools released a statement mourning Kariem, who had worked at Wesley International Academy for more than 12 years. District officials called him a beloved mentor and asked the public to keep his family in their thoughts.
Precautionary closures across six theme parks
In response to the fatal accident, Six Flags announced Monday that it was temporarily closing nine comparable hypercoasters across its parks as a safety precaution while inquiries proceed. “The safety of our guests and associates remains one of our highest priorities,” Six Flags said in a statement.
The closed attractions include:
- Nitro at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey
- Raging Bull at Six Flags Great America in Illinois
- Behemoth and Leviathan at Canada’s Wonderland
- Goliath at Six Flags Magic Mountain in California
- Fury 325 and Thunder Striker at Carowinds in the Carolinas
- Diamondback and Orion at Kings Island in Ohio
Eight of the nine idled coasters were designed by Bolliger & Mabillard, the Swiss engineering firm that also designed Goliath in Georgia. The Goliath coaster at Magic Mountain was built by the now-defunct manufacturer Giovanola, ABC News reported. Bolliger & Mabillard said in a statement Tuesday that it is actively investigating the incident and expressed condolences to the family, declining further comment until more information is gathered.
Inquiries underway into cause of fatal ejection
Garrison Bennett, a spokesperson for the Georgia Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner, said state ride inspectors are carrying out an exhaustive review alongside local police investigators. Mark Lopez-Trigo, a Florida personal injury attorney, told Fox News Digital that investigators will probably focus on whether the failure was an isolated mechanical problem with Kariem’s specific restraint, an issue with ride sensors, or a broader maintenance and inspection shortcoming.
Authorities have not yet explained how Kariem became dislodged from his seat, and Six Flags has not indicated when the closed roller coasters will be cleared to resume service.
