Authorities in Georgia have identified the man who died after falling from a roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia on Monday afternoon as Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, a 42-year-old resident of Atlanta. According to the Cobb County Police Department, emergency responders found Kariem unresponsive and not breathing around 4 p.m. at the amusement park located in Austell, approximately 17 miles west of Atlanta. Witnesses reported that Kariem was ejected from the ride and struck other riders during his fall, resulting in injuries to several passengers.

Multiple witnesses described a distressing scene in which Kariem appeared to slip from his seat on the Goliath roller coaster, a “hypercoaster” that climbs 200 feet and reaches speeds of roughly 70 miles per hour. Passengers noted that Kariem was seated alongside his son, with his wife and daughter watching nearby. Several accounts indicated that Kariem’s lap harness may have malfunctioned or come loose, although Six Flags has not officially confirmed the specific ride involved or the cause of the incident. Some riders reported hearing unusual clicking sounds from the restraints during boarding and saw staff checking the safety mechanisms repeatedly before dispatch.

Witnesses said Kariem “started levitating in the air sideways” and collided with other cars on the ride before his fatal plunge. Passengers described the horror of witnessing the event, with some noting that Kariem made eye contact with riders as he fell. Several other riders sustained injuries from debris or impact caused by Kariem striking their cars. After the accident, the ride was halted, leaving passengers stranded on the coaster for over an hour before being evacuated.

In response to the incident, Six Flags temporarily closed the Goliath coaster at the Georgia park and eight similar rides across its North American venues as a precautionary measure. A spokeswoman said the company is providing support to those affected and declined further specifics out of respect for Kariem’s family. The closures affected other prominent coasters, including Raging Bull in Illinois, Nitro in New Jersey, and Leviathan at Canada’s Wonderland, among others. Additionally, La Ronde in Montreal suspended its Goliath ride pending a safety review.

Goliath at Six Flags Over Georgia opened in 2006 as a major attraction, designed by the Swiss firm Bolliger & Mabillard, known for their roller coaster engineering worldwide. Bolliger & Mabillard announced they are investigating the incident. The ride is celebrated for its speed, height, and smoothness, combining thrills with comfort. A previous fatality on the same coaster involved a man who suffered a heart attack shortly after it debuted.

This tragedy comes amid heightened scrutiny of roller coaster safety at Six Flags parks. Less than a month prior, three individuals sued Six Flags and ride manufacturer S&S Worldwide, alleging severe brain injuries sustained on the X2 ride at Six Flags Magic Mountain in California. The lawsuits contend Six Flags failed to warn riders adequately of potential risks. That ride, which features rotating seats and reaches speeds up to 76 mph, has remained closed since July. Six Flags has denied responsibility for prior injury claims related to their coasters.

Local officials and the park continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding Kariem’s death, with authorities reviewing ride maintenance records and safety protocols as they seek to determine whether this was a preventable accident. The incident has deeply affected the local community, with tributes highlighting Kariem’s role as a beloved public school teacher. Lisa N. Cupid, chairwoman of Cobb County’s commissioners board, expressed condolences and called the event devastating for a venue long associated with family recreation.