Six Flags Closes 10 Roller Coasters After Rider’s Fatal Fall at Georgia Park

Six Flags has temporarily closed 10 roller coasters across seven of its parks after a man died Monday falling from the Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia.

Police found Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, 42, under the Goliath just before 4 p.m. Monday, unresponsive and not breathing, according to the Cobb County Police Department. Investigators believe Kariem was ejected from the ride and struck other passengers before falling to his death, based on interviews with witnesses and park employees.

Several other riders were injured in the incident, police said. Witnesses told CNN affiliate WXIA that the man hit the ride’s train three times before landing on the roof of a haunted house attraction below. “He fell and hit the car three different times,” one witness said.

The Goliath, built by Swiss manufacturer Bolliger & Mabillard, reaches 200 feet and 70 mph. Detectives from the county’s Major Crimes Unit are investigating.

“Out of an abundance of caution, we have temporarily closed similar attractions across our parks,” a Six Flags spokesperson said. The company said it has no timeline for reopening. All but one of the 10 coasters was designed by B&M, and a B&M spokesman said the company is investigating.

The closed rides include Raging Bull at Six Flags Great America in Illinois, Goliath at Six Flags Magic Mountain in California, Nitro at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey, Leviathan and Behemoth at Canada’s Wonderland in Ontario, Fury 325 and Thunder Striker at Carowinds in North Carolina, and Orion and Diamondback at Kings Island in Ohio.

Ride safety under fresh scrutiny

The death comes weeks after Six Flags permanently closed the X2 roller coaster at Magic Mountain following a CNN investigation that documented a history of serious injuries and deaths linked to the ride. Three riders filed lawsuits in September alleging life-threatening injuries this year.

Six Flags said it was “deeply saddened by the guest incident” and is cooperating with authorities. Cobb County Board of Commissioners Chairwoman Lisa Cupid said the county would work closely with the park, and asked people to keep the family of the deceased, the injured, and the park’s employees in their thoughts.

Six Flags shares fell 16% in Tuesday trading, heading for their lowest close since 2009, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Reporting based on coverage by CNN, the Wall Street Journal and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.