Death of 42-year-old man on Six Flags rollercoaster sparks ride shutdowns

Consensus Summary

A 42-year-old man, Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, died after being ejected from the Goliath rollercoaster at Six Flags Over Georgia on Monday afternoon local time, around 3.58 pm. Witnesses described a terrifying scene where Kariem appeared to hover above the ride before falling to his death, with four others injured in the incident. The rollercoaster, which reaches heights of 60m (or 61m per ABC) and speeds of 113km/h, uses lap bars instead of seat belts to restrain riders. Following the tragedy, Six Flags temporarily shut down nine similar rides across six parks in the US and Canada, with eight of them built by Bolliger and Mabillard, the manufacturer of the Goliath coaster.

The incident has drawn attention to broader safety concerns in the theme park industry, particularly after Six Flags Magic Mountain permanently closed its X2 rollercoaster just two weeks prior. Lawsuits alleging serious brain injuries linked to the X2 ride had already emerged, with reports of over 100 riders claiming traumatic injuries. The closure of the X2 came after a settlement in a 2022 wrongful death lawsuit, though 7NEWS does not specify the year for the lawsuit. The timing of Kariem’s death—amid ongoing scrutiny of rollercoaster safety—has intensified calls for stricter inspections and restraint systems, especially as federal oversight in the US is limited to state-level regulations.

Kariem was a respected educator and IT manager at Wesley International Academy, where he had worked for over 12 years. His family described him as a devoted father, mentor, and survivor of two bouts of cancer, the last in 2018. Just three weeks before his death, Kariem and his daughter had survived a car fire unharmed. The school community mourned his loss, with Wesley International Academy calling him a ‘cherished member’ whose impact would be deeply missed. Witnesses, including Summer Bates, shared harrowing accounts of the incident, with some noting that restraints on the Goliath coaster did not feel secure during their ride. Bolliger and Mabillard, the coaster’s manufacturer, has launched an investigation but declined to comment further until more details are known.

While the three outlets largely agree on the core facts of the incident, discrepancies arise in specific details. The Guardian reports the event occurred on Tuesday, whereas 7NEWS and ABC specify Monday afternoon local time. Additionally, ABC provides a more detailed list of the nine shuttered rides, including names like Raging Bull and Fury 325, while 7NEWS focuses on the broader impact of the shutdowns. The Guardian also highlights Kariem’s personal struggles, including his cancer history and the recent car fire, which are not mentioned by the other sources. Meanwhile, 7NEWS emphasizes the immediate evacuation of the park and the family’s plea for privacy, whereas ABC delves deeper into the regulatory landscape of theme park safety across different states.

As investigations continue, authorities in Georgia are conducting a comprehensive review of the incident, with Cobb County Police launching a major crimes unit probe. The cause of Kariem’s ejection remains unclear, though witnesses suggest a possible restraint malfunction. Bolliger and Mabillard has pledged to cooperate with authorities, though no timeline has been set for reopening the Goliath coaster. The Guardian notes that Six Flags Over Georgia was expected to reopen on Friday, though its closure due to the offseason schedule complicates immediate safety assessments. With no federal oversight in the US, the outcome of state-level inspections and the manufacturer’s findings will be critical in determining whether similar rides can resume operations safely.