Six Flags shuts nine roller coasters across six parks after guest plunges to death at Georgia attraction
MABLETON, GEORGIA: The death of a visitor at Six Flags Over Georgia has led the company to temporarily suspend nine roller coasters across six parks in North America.
The decision came after a 42-year-old man fell from the Goliath roller coaster on Monday, October 12.
Police are investigating the fatal incident as the temporary closures draw attention to safety measures across the company’s parks.
🚨 TRAGIC: Hassan Kariem, a 42-year-old Atlanta teacher, died after being ejected from the Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia. Police say he struck other riders before falling beneath the ride. A witness said his son was seated beside him. I can’t imagine what his family is going through. 💔 https://t.co/reFxHH3l1b
— Brandon Tatum (@TheOfficerTatum) October 13, 2026
Fatal fall triggers shutdown
Authorities identified the man who died as Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, a father and teacher from the Atlanta.
He was aboard Goliath at Six Flags Over Georgia when he fell from the ride, local media reported.
He was riding alongside his son, while his wife and daughter remained on the ground, according to witness accounts.
Witnesses told news outlets that Kariem appeared to come out of his seat while the coaster was in motion.
Police said preliminary findings from interviews with witnesses and park employees indicated that Kariem struck other visitors before falling beneath the ride. Investigators are still examining the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Another witness reportedly said Kariem struck a passenger seated in front of them near the section where the ride takes souvenir photographs.
Authorities have not confirmed the sequence of events or identified a mechanical fault as the cause.
The Cobb County Police Department’s major crimes unit is leading the investigation.
Whether the closures lead to further safety measures will depend on what the company’s reviews and the ongoing investigation uncover.
Goliath opened in 2006 and is among Six Flags Over Georgia’s signature thrill rides.
The hypercoaster climbs to roughly 200 feet and reaches speeds of about 70 mph.
Local media footage showed riders being escorted off the attraction as emergency crews responded.
Four other riders were also reportedly injured. Officials have not yet provided detailed information about the extent of their injuries.
The video below shows an eyewitness describing the incident to Fox News.
A day at Six Flags turns into a nightmare as a witness describes seeing a man fly from a roller coaster to his reported death in the woods. "I knew what I saw," she says, recalling the terrifying moment. "I just see somebody fly out and just fly into the woods." One person is reportedly dead and several others injured following the incident at Six Flags Over Georgia, where police and detectives are investigating the scene.
— Fox News (@FoxNews) October 13, 2026
Family grieves Hassan Kariem
Kariem’s death has devastated a family that remembers him for his dedication to teaching and his ties to the Atlanta community.
His relatives spoke of his love for the area and the pride he took in his work as an educator.
Kariem frequently shared family photos on social media, appearing with a broad smile in many of them.
The photographs offer a glimpse of the man his family knew before the outing ended in tragedy.
