Six Flags has temporarily closed nine roller coasters across the United States following a fatal incident at Six Flags Over Georgia that left one visitor dead and several others injured. The precautionary measure comes while law enforcement and safety officials investigate how a 42-year-old Atlanta man fell from the Goliath roller coaster.
The tragic accident occurred shortly before 4:00 p.m. on Monday at Six Flags Over Georgia, located roughly 16 miles west of downtown Atlanta. Detectives from the Cobb County Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit responded to the scene after receiving emergency calls regarding a visitor on a ride. Authorities identified the victim as Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, 42, of Atlanta. According to preliminary findings from witness statements and employee interviews, Kariem was ejected from the Goliath train, struck other visitors, and fell beneath the coaster structure, where he was found unconscious and not breathing by responding officers.
Precautionary Closures Across Multiple Parks
In response to the tragedy, Six Flags announced the temporary closure of nine additional high-speed roller coasters across six of its amusement parks nationwide. Company representatives stated that the rides were shut down “out of an abundance of caution” while investigations proceed.
The temporary closures impact several major thrill rides across North America, including:
- Diamondback and Orion at Kings Island in Mason, Ohio
- Fury 325 and Thunder Striker at Carowinds in Charlotte, North Carolina
- Leviathan and Behemoth at Canada’s Wonderland in Vaughan, Ontario
- Nitro at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson Township, New Jersey
- Goliath at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California
- Raging Bull at Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, Illinois
Nine of the ten affected coasters-including the Goliath rides at both the Georgia and California locations-were manufactured by the Swiss engineering firm Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M). Representatives for B&M released a statement confirming that the company is actively investigating the incident alongside park officials and safety regulators.
Ongoing Investigations and Witness Accounts
Witnesses described chaotic and distressing scenes as the accident unfolded on the 200-foot-tall hypercoaster, which reaches speeds of up to 70 miles per hour. Park guests reported seeing the rider exit his seat as the train navigated the tracks, prompting immediate evacuations of other passengers stranded on the ride’s lift hill.
Brian Avery, a legal and risk professor at the University of Florida, noted that investigators will thoroughly review maintenance logs, security video footage, ride operator statements, and mechanical components to determine the exact root cause of the ejection. Meanwhile, Six Flags Over Georgia observed a scheduled non-operating closure day while cooperating fully with local and state authorities.
Broader Amusement Industry Context
The fatality at Six Flags Over Georgia arrives amid heightened scrutiny regarding amusement park safety and ongoing litigation across the industry. Earlier in the month, Six Flags Magic Mountain announced the permanent retirement of its X2 roller coaster following multiple lawsuits alleging that riders suffered traumatic brain injuries. Legal representatives and safety experts continue to debate the need for standardized federal oversight to ensure uniform operating and maintenance protocols across theme parks nationwide.
Financial markets also reacted swiftly to the tragedy, with shares of Six Flags Entertainment falling over 10% in after-hours trading following reports of the incident. Park officials have not yet announced a timeline for when the nine temporarily closed roller coasters will resume normal operations.
