An investigation is underway after a 42-year-old man fell to his death from a roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia on Monday, leading the amusement park chain to shut down several similar rides across the United States.
The Cobb County Police Department identified the victim as Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem of Atlanta. According to authorities, Kariem was "ejected" from the Goliath coaster, struck other patrons, and then fell beneath the ride. He was found unresponsive and not breathing.
A witness who was on the Goliath at the same time told NBC that Kariem appeared to be "levitating in the air sideways" before the fall. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation and local law enforcement are looking into the incident, and Six Flags has pledged to cooperate fully.
In response to the fatality, Six Flags has temporarily closed nine other attractions at its parks nationwide that use similar restraint systems or are manufactured by the same company. The closures are described as a precautionary measure while the investigation continues.
The Goliath, a hypercoaster that reaches speeds of 70 mph and features a 170-foot drop, has been a signature attraction at the park since it opened in 2006. It is unclear whether a mechanical failure, operator error, or rider behavior contributed to the ejection.
This is not the first time a death has occurred on a Six Flags ride. In 2013, a woman died after falling from the Texas Giant at Six Flags Over Texas. That incident led to a wrongful death lawsuit and a renewed focus on safety standards for roller coasters.
Amusement park safety is primarily regulated at the state level, with varying degrees of oversight. Georgia law requires annual inspections of amusement rides, but the specifics of the Goliath's most recent inspection have not been released.
As the investigation unfolds, questions are likely to arise about the adequacy of restraint systems on high-speed coasters and whether federal regulators should play a larger role in overseeing theme park safety. For now, Six Flags is facing scrutiny over how it maintains and operates its most popular rides.
The closure of the nine additional coasters suggests that Six Flags is taking a broad approach to assessing potential risks. The company has not provided a timeline for when those rides will reopen.
Kariem's family and other park guests who witnessed the incident are reportedly receiving support from Six Flags. The park remained open on Tuesday, though the Goliath and other affected rides were closed.
Police have not released further details about the circumstances of the fall, and an autopsy is expected to determine the exact cause of death. The investigation is ongoing.
