In brief
On a Monday evening in Cobb County, a 42‑year‑old rider was thrown from the Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia and fell to his death after colliding with other passengers. Police say the ejection happened mid‑ride, and emergency crews found the victim still breathing for a brief moment before he was pronounced dead. The park has shut nine rides across North America while investigations proceed. Witnesses described a chaotic and traumatic scene, and the victim’s family has expressed deep grief. The incident follows a history of ride‑related deaths at Six Flags and has raised questions about amusement‑park safety protocols.
On Monday evening in Cobb County, a 42‑year‑old man named Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem was ripped from his seat on the Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia, collided with other riders, and then fell beneath the track. The incident occurred just before 4:00 p.m. local time.
Officials say Kariem was ejected from the cart mid‑run, struck several passengers, then plunged onto the ground. Emergency vehicles arrived within minutes, and the victim was briefly heard breathing before being pronounced dead at the scene.
The park has temporarily shut down nine rides across the United States and Canada as a precautionary measure while an investigation proceeds under the authority of the state insurance and fire safety commissioner.
“We are deeply saddened by the guest incident,” a spokesperson for Six Flags said, offering condolences to Kariem’s family, friends and the entire park community.
Witness Accounts
Nick Mendenhall, who was riding the coaster when the crash occurred, described the moment as “super, super bizarre, traumatic.” He said he watched the rider come out of his seat, hit another cart, then fall to the ground.
Another witness, CiCi Nelson, was in line on the ride and saw an empty cart with a loose safety bar and a woman covered in blood. She recounted the scene as “hysteria” and said a man nearby screamed, “Call 911! Someone fell out!”
The video footage from a news helicopter shows the Goliath roller coaster stopped mid‑run with several riders stranded on the track.
The Victim
Kariem was a father, educator, and IT manager at Wesley International Academy. He had survived two bouts of cancer and had been in a car crash with his 10‑year‑old daughter three weeks before his death. Friends described him as deeply loved and respected, proud of his students and devoted to his community.
Context and History
This is at least the seventh death linked to Six Flags parks, according to the Doan Law Firm. In the past 15 years, two victims fell from roller coasters, and another incident in 2013 involved a woman slipping from restraints and falling 75 feet.
The park’s Goliath ride opened in 2006, stands 200 feet tall, and reaches speeds up to 70 mph. It is rated four out of five on Six Flags’ thrill scale.
Source: BBC News, 2 minutes ago.
