A man has died after falling from a rollercoaster at a Six Flags amusement park in Georgia on Monday. The victim, Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, 42, was found dead beneath the ride after being ejected and hitting other riders, according to police reports. An investigation is currently underway, and details about the incident are still emerging.
Incident Overview
The Cobb County Police Department reported that the incident occurred just before 4:00 PM local time (8:00 PM GMT). In a statement released on Tuesday, they noted, "Officers working at the park responded to an incident involving a male guest on a roller coaster." Preliminary information suggests that Kariem was ejected from the ride and struck other patrons before falling to the ground.
The Ride Involved
While the specific ride has not been officially confirmed, aerial footage from news helicopters showed the Goliath rollercoaster stopped midway. Multiple witnesses have identified it as the ride involved in the incident. The Goliath, which opened in 2006, features a height of 200 feet (60m), a 170-foot plunge, a 540-degree spiral, and speeds of up to 70 mph (112 km/h). It is rated a level four out of five on the park's thrill scale.
Safety Measures and Reactions
In response to the incident, Six Flags, the largest amusement park operator in North America, has temporarily closed nine rides across the US and Canada as a precaution. The state's insurance and fire safety commissioner, responsible for enforcing amusement park safety rules in Georgia, is also conducting a review.
The company expressed its condolences, stating, "We are deeply saddened by the guest incident, and our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with the guest's family, friends, and loved ones."
