After a tragic roller coaster ejection accident at Six Flags Over Georgia in Austell, Georgia on Monday, October 12, 42-year-old Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem is dead. The incident occurred a little after 4 p.m. and amusement park attendees were evacuated from the grounds. In addition to Hassan’s death, several other riders of the Goliath roller coaster were also injured. The incident marks the first death at Six Flags Over Georgia in nearly 18 years.
Six Flags released a statement shortly after the incident made the news announcing the temporary closure of nine additional rides similar to Goliath, that are in various Six Flags locations around the country. “The safety of our guests and associates remains one of our highest priorities,” Six Flags said in a statement Monday. “We are deeply saddened by this tragic accident. Our thoughts are with the family and those affected,” Bolliger & Mabillard said. Bolliger and Mabillard (B&M) is the Switzerland-based roller coaster and design company behind the Goliath roller coaster. Within the statement, the company said that they are actively investigating the incident. In addition to the roller coaster that killed Kariem, Six Flags announced that it would additionally close Nitro in Great Adventure, Raging Bull in Great America, Behemoth and Leviathan in Canada’s Wonderland, Goliath in Magic Mountain, Fury 325 and Thunder Striker in Carowinds, and Orion and Diamondback in Kings Island.
Since the news of Kariem’s death, Atlanta Public Schools, his employer also released a statement. The school system recognized Kariem as a member of its community, at its Wesley International Academy. Wesley International Academy shared a letter with NBC expressing their deepest condolences. “We know this news is heartbreaking and difficult to process. Mr. Kariem was a valued member of our Wesley family, and his loss will be deeply felt throughout our school community,” the letter stated. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, colleagues, students, and all those whose lives he touched.”