A 42-year-old Atlanta man fell to his death on Monday after being ejected from a roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia, striking other patrons before falling beneath the ride.
The Cobb County Police Department on Tuesday identified the man as Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem. Officers from its park detail and patrol division had responded at about 3:58 p.m. and found Kariem unresponsive and not breathing beneath the attraction.
Man, 42, dies after being ejected from roller coaste. pic.twitter.com/ozyv1BFWFa
— RELISH WIRE NEWS (@relishwirenews) October 13, 2026
The department’s Major Crimes Unit is investigating. Several people were reported injured.
Britny Landry, who had ridden Goliath earlier Monday and was waiting to ride again, told KTVU-TV she saw someone fly from the ride and at first was not sure what she had seen.
“We just look, and I just see somebody fly out,” she said. “Maybe somebody had a bag or something.”
What caused the ejection is still unknown, including how many people were injured, the severity of their injuries, or whether all reported injuries were caused by contact with him.
🚨#BREAKING: A father has just FALLED TO HIS DE@TH off of a rollercoaster at Six Flags near Atlanta GA.
— Matt Van Swol (@mattvanswol) October 12, 2026
Witnesses say the father was riding with his child and then flew out of seat, smashed into riders behind him, and hit the rollercoaster several times before ultimately falling… pic.twitter.com/mww7YO38Sm
Another eyewitness at the scene of the accident, identified as Logan Conner, said he was at Goliath with his fiancée when he saw the man come out of his seat. Speaking to NBC:
“The man started levitating in the air sideways,” Conner said. “We made direct eye contact with him.”
🚨 TRAGIC: Hassan Kariem, a 42-year-old Atlanta teacher, died after being ejected from the Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia. Police say he struck other riders before falling beneath the ride.
— Brandon Tatum (@TheOfficerTatum) October 13, 2026
A witness said his son was seated beside him. I can’t imagine what his…
Lisa Cupid, Cobb County Board of Commissioners chairwoman, said in a statement that the victim’s next of kin has been notified and the county is working with the park along with other partners. Her account noted additional information will be released by law enforcement as it is confirmed.
🚨Six Flags of Georgia victim, age 42, thrown from the Goliath Roller Coaster. He is deceased.
— Juanita Broaddrick (@atensnut) October 13, 2026
How on earth did this happen? I cannot imagine the horror this man went through. pic.twitter.com/o21s42Kmkm
Six Flags has said that out of an abundance of caution, it is temporarily closing nine similar coasters across its parks while the investigation continues.
Raging Bull at Six Flags Great America in Illinois is among those closed, as is Goliath at Six Flags Magic Mountain. The closure also hits Nitro at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey, and Leviathan and Behemoth at Canada’s Wonderland in Ontario, while Fury 325 and Thunder Striker at Carowinds in North Carolina, and Orion and Diamondback at Kings Island in Ohio, were also affected.
The closure noted most share design characteristics with the ride involved in the accident and were built by Bolliger & Mabillard.
“Atlanta Public Schools extends its deepest condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones of Mr. Kariem,” Atlanta Public Schools said in a statement.
The schools added that Kariem was a cherished member of the Wesley International Academy and district communities whose presence will be deeply missed by students, staff, and others whose lives he touched.
One person dead after falling from the Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags
— Defiant L’s (@DefiantLs) October 13, 2026
Several other people were injured, according to Cobb County police and witnesses reported seeing a rider ejected from the coaster pic.twitter.com/nelb26RK97
The park has seen other incidents this year, although none involved a death. The SkyScreamer swing ride on June 14 stopped mid-cycle because of a technical issue, leaving riders suspended for about 10 minutes before staff lowered them safely. No injuries were reported, and the park said the ride’s safety system worked as designed.
There was also a separate incident on the evening of July 5, when a tree fell during a severe thunderstorm near the main entrance and struck four guests, who were taken to the hospital. Two were juveniles, and at least one suffered serious injuries.
Six Flags Magic Mountain permanently retired its X2 coaster in late September 2026 after multiple lawsuits alleging brain injuries and a settled wrongful-death case from a 2022 rider. The park’s president said it was closed because “it’s the right thing to do” for guest confidence, while noting the ride had passed safety tests.
After the recent accident, the company said in a statement it was deeply saddened and offered heartfelt condolences to the victim’s family, friends and loved ones, and that it would not share additional details out of respect for the family’s privacy.
Goliath at Magic Mountain was built by Giovanola and was included because of its similar profile and name.
Officials have not identified the ride by name, although witness accounts point to Goliath, which the park lists as remaining closed during the investigation.
Beyond Georgia, there have been about 101 past deaths at parks that are or were managed by Six Flags Entertainment Corp.
In the Doan Law Firm account, the tally includes deaths that occurred before a park joined the company, such as a 1997 accident at Geauga Lake. It also includes 37 deaths at former Cedar Fair parks, which merged with Six Flags on July 1, 2024.
The single deadliest event on record was the Haunted Castle fire at Great Adventure on May 11, 1984, which killed eight people.
Six Flags Great Adventure has the most recorded deaths at 13. According to the firm, seven properties have five or more, including Kings Island, Six Flags Magic Mountain, Six Flags Great America, Six Flags Over Texas, California’s Great America, and Six Flags Over Georgia. The compilation lists nine deaths at Magic Mountain as of Aug. 28, 2026.
