Police in Georgia on Tuesday said the man who died at a Six Flags amusement park was ejected from a roller coaster and hit other riders as he plummeted toward the ground.
The incident unfolded Monday night at a Six Flags location in Cobb County, Georgia. Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, 42, died after falling from the 200-foot-tall roller coaster, known as “Goliath,” and four others were injured.
Following the incident, Six Flags halted the coaster after Kariem fell to his death. The amusement park franchise has since shut down nine other rides at six locations in North America.
“We are deeply saddened by the guest incident at our park today,” a spokesperson for Six Flags Over Georgia said after the incident. “Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with the guest’s family, friends, and loved ones. We are also 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 spokesperson added. “Out of respect for the family’s privacy, we will not be sharing additional details at this time.”
The Georgia Six Flags location was closed following Kariem’s death and remained closed on Tuesday.
Kariem worked at a public charter school, and family members said he and his daughter survived a car fire weeks before his death. He had previously survived cancer and what his family described as a serious case of COVID-19.
His death follows Six Flags Magic Mountain in Los Angeles County, California, announcing it would retire its “X2” roller coaster following a CNN investigation that exposed more than a dozen reports of injuries and deaths in connection with the ride.
ONE DEAD AND SEVERAL INJURED AFTER ROLLER COASTER INCIDENT AT SIX FLAGS OVER GEORGIA
Other patrons on the Goliath when Kariem was ejected described the seats as not feeling secure. Witnesses nearby said when Kariem was thrown from the ride, they at first thought someone had dropped a bag, adding that the deceased appeared to be “levitating.”
The Cobb County Police Department said its major crimes unit is investigating the incident, and the state Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner, which is responsible for ride inspections, is also doing a review. Additionally, the Swiss coaster manufacturer Bolliger & Mabillard said it would be conducting an investigation.