The short version
- Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem died after being ejected from a ride at Six Flags Over Georgia, striking other passengers before falling to the ground.
- The company has temporarily shut down nine rollercoasters across its US and Canadian properties as a precautionary measure pending an investigation.
- Witnesses described chaotic scenes with visible injuries and unlatched restraints, while officials have not yet determined the cause of the mechanical failure.
A fatal accident at a Six Flags amusement park in Georgia has triggered a widespread operational pause across the company’s North American properties. Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, a 42-year-old father and educator from Atlanta, died after being ejected from his seat on a rollercoaster Monday afternoon. Police reports indicate that Kariem struck other riders before falling to the ground beneath the attraction. In response to the incident, Six Flags has temporarily closed nine rides across multiple parks in the United States and Canada as a precaution while investigations proceed.
The Cobb County Police Department confirmed that officers responded to the scene just before 4:00 p.m. local time. Preliminary interviews with witnesses and employees suggest Kariem was thrown from his seat during the ride’s operation. Although authorities have not officially named the specific attraction involved, aerial footage captured by news helicopters shows the Goliath rollercoaster stopped midway through its course. Multiple bystanders identified Goliath as the site of the incident. The ride, which opened in 2006, features a 200-foot elevation and reaches speeds of up to 70 miles per hour.
Eyewitness accounts describe a scene of confusion and distress as the coaster returned to the station. Several observers noted that safety restraints appeared unlatched on the affected cart. One witness reported seeing an empty seat with a loose bar and another rider covered in blood. The suddenness of the event left many in shock, with some describing the experience as traumatic and difficult to process. Emergency services were called immediately after the ride came to a halt.
Kariem was a long-time employee at Wesley International Academy, a public charter school in Atlanta, where he served as an IT manager, technology teacher, and robotics coach for more than a decade. School officials released a statement expressing deep sorrow over his loss, highlighting his dedication to students and the community. Family members shared that Kariem had survived two bouts of cancer, with his last treatment concluding in 2018. They also noted that he and his 10-year-old daughter had recently survived a car accident three weeks prior to the park incident.
The Georgia Office of the Insurance and Fire Safety Commissioner, which enforces amusement park safety regulations in the state, has launched a review of the incident. The Cobb County Major Crimes Unit is also conducting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Kariem’s death. Officials have not held a press conference to provide updates, and few details regarding the mechanical cause of the ejection have been released. It remains unclear whether the failure was due to equipment malfunction, human error, or other factors.
Six Flags issued a statement expressing sadness over the guest incident and offering condolences to Kariem’s family and friends. The company did not specify which nine rides were closed beyond noting they were across US and Canadian locations. This action follows recent safety concerns at other theme parks, including the permanent closure of the X2 rollercoaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain in California amid lawsuits alleging brain injuries. Additionally, a separate fatal accident occurred last year at Universal Epic Universe in Florida, where a man died from blunt impact injuries after riding a high-speed coaster.
Legal experts tracking amusement park incidents note that this is at least the seventh death recorded at Six Flags Over Georgia since its opening. Previous fatalities included cases involving medical emergencies and restricted access areas. The Doan Law Firm, which represents victims in such cases, maintains records of these accidents. While the current incident involves a mechanical ejection, the broader context of safety scrutiny continues to mount for major theme park operators.
Six Flags Over Georgia remains closed as part of its regular offseason schedule, with plans to reopen later in the week. The temporary closures of other rides across the network are expected to remain in effect until investigations conclude and safety protocols are reviewed. Families of those injured in the incident have not been publicly identified, and their conditions remain unknown. As authorities gather evidence, the focus remains on determining how a restraint system failed on a ride designed for high-speed thrills.
The incident has reignited discussions about safety standards in the amusement industry. While rollercoasters are subject to rigorous testing and maintenance schedules, mechanical failures can still occur. Witnesses emphasized the suddenness of the event, noting that such accidents are rare but devastating when they happen. The coming weeks will likely see increased scrutiny from regulators and public attention on how theme parks manage risk and respond to emergencies.
For now, the investigation continues without a clear timeline for resolution. Six Flags has not commented on potential liability or long-term changes to ride operations beyond the immediate closures. Kariem’s family and colleagues mourn a man described as passionate, resilient, and deeply loved. The broader industry watches closely as this case develops, aware that each incident shapes future safety practices and public trust in amusement park attractions.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- BBC World↗What we know about the man who died falling from a Six Flags rollercoaster
- The Guardian World↗Man who died in Six Flags rollercoaster fall in Georgia was a father and educator
