42-Year-Old Man Dies After Ejection From Goliath Roller Coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia
Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, 42, of Atlanta died Monday after being ejected from the 200-foot hypercoaster; Six Flags closed nine similar rides across the U.S. and Canada while investigators probe the cause.
A 42-year-old Atlanta man died Monday after being ejected from the Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia, prompting the company to temporarily close nine similar rides at its parks across the United States and Canada while investigators work out what happened.
Police identified the man as Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, 42. Cobb County police officers found him under the 200-foot Goliath hypercoaster just before 4 p.m. Monday, unresponsive and not breathing, according to FOX5 Atlanta and the Wall Street Journal. Investigators believe, based on interviews with witnesses and park employees, that Kariem was ejected from the ride and struck other passengers before falling to his death. Several other guests were also injured.
The Cobb County Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit is leading the investigation, along with inspectors from the Georgia Office of the Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner. Commissioner John King confirmed state inspectors were on the ground examining the ride’s equipment and coordinating with park leadership.
Nine similar rides closed
Six Flags evacuated the Cobb County park and closed nine similar coasters at locations in the U.S. and Canada “out of an abundance of caution,” a company spokesperson said. Park officials have not said when Goliath or the other rides will reopen. The coasters were designed by the Swiss firm Bolliger & Mabillard, according to NBC Chicago.
What investigators will examine
Authorities have not said what caused Kariem to leave his seat, and no official cause of death has been released. Attorney James Murray, who has previously represented victims in amusement-ride accidents, told FOX5 the review would cover whether the park and its employees followed safety protocols and whether the ride had design or manufacturing defects.
“They’re going to look at every ride, make sure this is not a problem across their parks or their similar rides,” Murray said.
Goliath opened in 2006 and was considered among the best coasters in the world when it debuted, according to the Journal. In July 2006, a 45-year-old man died after losing consciousness on the ride; an autopsy found a heart condition he had since birth, and inspectors determined the ride was functioning properly.
Reporting based on coverage by FOX5 Atlanta and the Wall Street Journal.
