Man Dies After Being Ejected From Six Flags Roller Coaster
Eyewitnesses recount the harrowing moments a rider fell from the Goliath coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia.
A 42-year-old man died Monday afternoon after being ejected from the Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia, according to authorities.
Eyewitnesses told ABC News that the man fell from his seat on the ride, striking it multiple times before falling to the ground. One witness described the incident as "a man slips out of his seat, and he turns sideways, and he's flipping in the air. He comes down, he slams down on our cart... He comes back up, he flips again, comes down on our cart again."
Another witness stated, "His restraint came undone." People attempted to grab the victim as he fell, but "there was too much force to grab him," they added.
Multiple patrons were injured during the incident, which occurred around 4 p.m. "Nobody could breathe. Everybody's screaming, crying, freaking out. Parents are running up there telling them, 'Let our kids off this ride,'" said one eyewitness.
The deceased has been identified as Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem. The Cobb County Police Department's Major Crimes Unit is investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.
"Preliminary information gathered through witness and employee interviews indicates Kariem was ejected from the ride and struck other patrons before falling beneath the attraction," police stated. Investigators are continuing to examine the details.
The Goliath roller coaster, located in Austell, west of Atlanta, reaches heights of 200 feet and speeds up to 70 mph. The ride opened in 2006.
Six Flags released a statement expressing their sorrow over the incident, offering condolences to the victim's family. "The park team and local authorities responded immediately, and we are cooperating fully with local authorities as they complete their investigation," a spokesperson said.
In response to the incident, Six Flags announced it had "temporarily closed similar attractions across our parks" out of caution. Cobb County Board of Commissioners Chairwoman Lisa N. Cupid acknowledged the horror of the event and expressed sympathy for the family. "I cannot imagine the horror the patrons and employees witnessed today, and my heart aches for the family who lost a loved one," Cupid said. "We are all grappling with how something so devastating could happen at a place that has given generations of families such happy memories."