Authorities and eyewitnesses are investigating a tragic incident at Six Flags Over Georgia in Austell, where a man was killed after being ejected from the Goliath roller coaster on Monday afternoon. Police identified the deceased as Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, 42.
According to accounts provided to ABC News, the rider came loose from his seat and collided with other patrons before falling from the attraction, which stands 200 feet tall and reaches speeds of up to 70 mph. Witnesses, who requested anonymity, described a harrowing scene where the man flipped through the air and struck a nearby cart.
“His restraint came undone,” one witness stated, adding that bystanders attempted to intervene but were unable to grasp him due to the intense speed and force of the ride. “People reached out trying to grab him… There was too much force to grab him,” they explained.
Cobb County Police confirmed that several other individuals sustained injuries during the incident, which occurred shortly before 4 p.m. The department’s Major Crimes Unit has been dispatched to investigate the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
In a formal statement, police noted that preliminary interviews with witnesses and employees indicate Kariem was ejected from the vehicle and struck other guests before falling beneath the structure. Investigators continue to examine the cause of the accident.
Jim Norton, a spokesperson for Six Flags, expressed deep sadness over the event and offered condolences to the victim’s family. He confirmed that the company is cooperating fully with local law enforcement. As a precautionary measure, the amusement park chain temporarily closed similar attractions across its properties on Monday.
Lisa N. Cupid, chairwoman of the Cobb County Board of Commissioners, released a statement mourning the loss. She described the event as devastating for both patrons and employees, noting that the park is a vital component of the region’s tourism industry and a source of happy memories for generations of families.
The Goliath roller coaster, which opened in 2006, remains operational as the investigation proceeds.
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