A 42-year-old Atlanta man died and four other people were injured Monday after police said he was ejected from a roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia and struck other patrons before falling beneath the attraction.
Cobb County police identified the victim as Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem. Officers working at the park responded around 3:58 p.m. and found Kariem unresponsive beneath the ride, according to a police update reported by CBS Atlanta. His family was notified.
WSB-TV identified the attraction as Goliath and reported four others were taken to a hospital. News helicopter footage showed the coaster stopped on its first hill while riders evacuated by an emergency stairway. Officials have not released the injured patrons’ names or conditions.
Investigators have not explained how Kariem came out of his seat or announced whether a restraint, mechanical failure, rider action or another factor contributed. The Cobb County Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit and Georgia’s Office of the Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire are conducting reviews.
Goliath opened in 2006 and reaches 200 feet, with a top speed of 70 mph, according to Six Flags. The Bolliger & Mabillard hypercoaster includes drops of 170 and 175 feet and subjects riders to forces reaching 4 Gs.
Six Flags temporarily closed nine similar roller coasters at six parks “out of an abundance of caution,” The Associated Press reported. The closures do not establish that a shared design defect caused the Georgia incident.
The company said park staff and local authorities responded immediately and that it is cooperating fully with investigators. Six Flags said it is supporting affected guests and employees while withholding further details out of respect for the family.
The investigation remains active. Police asked anyone with information to contact the Major Crimes Unit at 770-499-3945.
