A man died at Six Flags Over Georgia on Monday after witnesses said he fell from the Goliath roller coaster, struck the ride repeatedly, and landed on the roof of a haunted house attraction below.
The incident also injured several other riders. Cobb County Board of Commissioners Chairwoman Lisa Cupid confirmed the death and injuries in a statement and said police detectives with the Major Crimes Unit were investigating.
“A terrible tragedy occurred today at Six Flags Over Georgia. One person has died, and others were injured. It is my understanding that next of kin have been notified,” Cupid said. “Cobb County Police officers responded immediately, and detectives with the Major Crimes Unit are investigating the circumstances surrounding this incident. The County is working closely with Six Flags Over Georgia and other appropriate partners as the investigation proceeds.”
On Tuesday, Cobb County Police identified the man who died as 42-year-old Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, an educator/IT staff member at an Atlanta Public Schools charter school in the Atlanta Public Schools District, Atlanta news station 11Alive reported.
Witnesses Describe the Fall
Logan Conner said he was riding Goliath with his fiancé when he saw the man leave his seat, NBC News reported.
“The man started levitating in the air sideways,” Conner said. “We made direct eye contact with him.”
One rider told 11Alive that the man struck the coaster three times before falling and was captured midair in the rider’s souvenir photo. One witness said he hit other passengers before landing on the roof of the haunted house attraction below, according to NBC News.
One female passenger told WXIA that the man fell onto a girl two rows ahead of her. A woman riding with her husband said workers had checked their safety harnesses before departure.
A second coaster vehicle was stopped mid-ride on an incline as park officials and emergency crews raced to assist passengers in the first car. Passengers on the second coaster car were eventually escorted to safety on the ground via a stairway.
Six Flags Closes Other Rides
Six Flags said it was supporting affected guests and employees and cooperating with authorities.
“We are deeply saddened by the guest incident at our park today. Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with the guest’s family, friends, and loved ones,” the statement from Six Flags Over Georgia read. ” We are providing support to the guests and team members affected. The park team and local authorities responded immediately, and we are cooperating fully with local authorities as they complete their investigation.”
The company temporarily closed nine similar rides at other parks as a precaution, according to NBC News. It did not provide a reopening timetable.
Those closures included rides at Six Flags Great America, Magic Mountain and Great Adventure, along with Canada’s Wonderland, Carowinds and Kings Island.
Separate Lawsuits Allege Brain Injuries
The Georgia death follows three September lawsuits involving X2 at Six Flags Magic Mountain in California. CNN reported that the plaintiffs alleged life-threatening brain injuries and accused Six Flags of continuing to operate the coaster despite notice of its alleged dangers.
The plaintiffs include Naomi Greer-Wilkinson, 26, whom CNN described as remaining in a coma. The allegations concern a separate ride and do not establish the cause of the Georgia incident.
Magic Mountain President Brian Oerding announced X2’s permanent retirement in a company statement. He said the ride had consistently passed numerous safety tests, but the park decided to close it after concerns affected guest confidence.
CNN reported that the park’s attorneys had defended X2 in injury litigation by pointing to warnings about the inherent risks of amusement rides.
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