Six Flags closes nine rides after fatal fall from Georgia roller coaster
In short
Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, 42, died after being ejected from a roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia on Monday, police said. Several others were injured, and Six Flags temporarily closed nine similar rides.
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Six Flags temporarily closed nine similar roller coasters after a man died and several other people were injured at Six Flags Over Georgia on Monday. Police identified the man as Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, 42. In a Tuesday statement, Cobb County police said preliminary information from witness and employee interviews indicated that he was ejected from the ride, struck other patrons and fell beneath the attraction. [ 5 , 7 , 32 ]
Police said the incident occurred shortly before 4 p.m. Officers assigned to the park and uniformed patrol officers responded. Detectives from the department's Major Crimes Unit are investigating. Investigators and park officials have not said how Kariem came out of his seat, and officials have not released further information about the people injured when he struck them. [ 5 , 32 ]
Witnesses described seeing a man fall from the Goliath roller coaster. CBS News reported that its cameras showed the ride had stopped and that guests were being evacuated from its largest hill using an emergency stairway. The park's website says the coaster reaches 70 mph and a height of 200 feet, according to The Guardian. [ 2 , 13 ]
Six Flags said the closures of similar attractions were precautionary. A spokesperson said the park team and local authorities responded immediately and that the company was cooperating fully with the investigation. The company also said it was providing support to affected guests and team members. [ 13 ]
Kariem worked at Wesley International Academy in Atlanta, according to ABC News. The school said he was its information technology manager, a technology teacher and robotics coach and had worked there for more than 12 years. The school described him as deeply loved and respected and said his absence would be felt throughout its community. [ 7 ]
Why it matters
The incident prompted precautionary closures at other Six Flags parks. Investigators and park officials have not said how Kariem came out of his seat.
Key facts
- Police identified the man who died as Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, 42. [ 7 , 32 ]
- One person died and several others were injured at Six Flags Over Georgia on Monday. [ 2 , 5 , 13 ]
- Six Flags temporarily closed nine similar roller coasters after the incident. [ 5 , 13 , 32 ]
- Cobb County police are investigating the circumstances of the incident. [ 5 , 7 , 13 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- How Kariem came out of his seat. PBS reported that investigators and park officials had not explained how he was thrown from the ride.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- On October 13, PBS reported that police identified Kariem and said he struck other patrons before landing below the ride. [ 32 ]