A 42-year-old Atlanta educator has died after falling from the Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia, prompting a police investigation into the fatal incident and a reported safety review of similar attractions across the park chain.
The Cobb County Police Department identified the man as Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem on Tuesday, following the incident shortly before 4 p.m. Monday at the theme park west of Atlanta, Georgia.
According to the supplied report, Kariem fell from the moving roller coaster, struck parts of the ride’s structure and collided with other passengers before landing on the roof of a nearby haunted house attraction. At least three other park guests were reportedly injured. Their conditions have not been publicly disclosed.
The circumstances surrounding the fall remain under investigation. Authorities have not established whether a mechanical problem, operator error or guest behavior contributed to the incident.
The department’s Major Crimes Unit is leading the investigation alongside the Georgia Office of the Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire. Police said officers assigned to the park and uniformed patrol officers responded to the scene.
Other passengers aboard Goliath were evacuated after the coaster was brought to a stop near the top of its approximately 200-foot elevation, according to the report.
Kariem’s family remembered him as a dedicated educator who cared deeply about his community and Atlanta. In a statement provided to local media, relatives highlighted his professional work helping reunite families and his commitment to the city.
Six Flags expressed condolences to Kariem’s loved ones and said it was cooperating with authorities.
āWe are deeply saddened by the guest incident at our park today,ā a company spokesperson said. āOur thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with the guestās family, friends, and loved ones. We are also providing support to the guests and team members affected.ā
The Goliath roller coaster opened in 2006 and is among the Georgia park’s signature attractions. The ride reaches speeds of up to 70 mph.
The report also states that Six Flags temporarily closed similar attractions across its nationwide network as a precaution while the investigation continues. The company has not been quoted providing further details about the scope or duration of those closures in the supplied material.
Authorities have not released additional information about the incident, citing the family’s privacy as relatives grieve. Investigators are expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the fall before determining what, if any, safety or operational failures contributed to the death.
