A fatal accident on a roller coaster at Six Flags over Georgia has prompted the temporary closure of nine similar rides across North America while investigations continue. The incident occurred on Monday when Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, 42, was ejected from the Goliath roller coaster, the tallest ride in the park, and fell to his death.

Eyewitnesses described seeing Kariem lifted partially out of his seat as the coaster car moved beneath him, creating the disturbing impression that he was hovering before he fell headfirst off the ride near its final turn. Nick Mendenhall, who had recently ridden Goliath with his son and was watching the ride at the time, said the moment seemed to unfold in slow motion and that he was praying for Kariem to remain secured in the car.

Kariem was identified by Cobb County police as a school employee from Atlanta, serving as an information technology manager at Wesley International Academy. The school expressed deep sorrow over the loss, highlighting Kariem’s dedication to students and commitment to the school community.

Following the incident, Six Flags Entertainment Corp. suspended operation of eight other coasters at six parks across the United States and Canada. The affected rides include a second Goliath at Six Flags Magic Mountain in California; Raging Bull at Six Flags Great America in Illinois; Nitro at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey; Fury 325 and Thunder Striker at Carowinds in North Carolina; and Leviathan and Behemoth at Canada’s Wonderland in Ontario.

The manufacturer of the coaster, Swiss company Bolliger & Mabillard, confirmed it is actively investigating the accident but declined further comment pending more information. Six Flags New England in Massachusetts did not immediately respond to inquiries about additional safety measures in the wake of the fatality.

Goliath at Six Flags over Georgia features a 200-foot first hill with multiple hills and turns and does not invert riders. The ride uses lap bars to restrain passengers, pulling over the legs and waist, but does not have seat belts. Some riders, including Summer Bates who witnessed the fall, noted that the restraints did not feel secure. Bates said her older children struggled to adjust their lap bars during their ride earlier in the day.

In the United States, amusement park ride safety is regulated at the state level, as there is no federal oversight of roller coasters and similar attractions. Both local authorities and the state agency responsible for ride inspections are investigating the circumstances surrounding Kariem’s death, but as of Tuesday, key questions remained about how the man fell and whether restraint issues contributed to the accident.