Man Dies After Six Flags Goliath Ride Incident in Georgia

A 42-year-old Atlanta man died after being ejected from the Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia in Austell, Georgia, on Oct. 12, according to Cobb County Police. The incident occurred just before 4 p.m. and involved other injured riders.

Police identified the man as Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem of Atlanta, according to 11Alive. The station reported that Kariem worked at Wesley International Academy in the Atlanta Public Schools district.

Six Flags said the park was affected by a fatal guest incident and said it would not release further details while respecting the family’s privacy.

"We are deeply saddened by the guest incident at our park today." said Six Flags, in a statement to USA TODAY.

The Atlanta Public Schools district shared condolences for Kariem’s family and described his connection to Wesley International Academy in a statement reported by 11Alive.

"He was a cherished member of the Wesley International Academy and APS families whose presence and impact will be deeply missed by our students, staff, and all those whose lives he touched. Our thoughts are with everyone mourning his loss during this difficult time," said the Atlanta Public Schools district, in a statement.

Witnesses told FOX 5 Atlanta that the man was thrown from the ride into a wooded area after the roller coaster traveled at speeds of up to 70 mph. Brittany Landry of Winder, Georgia, was waiting in line when she saw the incident.

"I just see somebody fly out and just fly into the woods," said Brittany Landry, according to FOX 5 Atlanta.

Landry said she initially believed the object she saw could have been a bag before realizing it was a person. She told the station she later learned the person had fallen about 150 feet away from her.

"Maybe somebody had a bag or something," said Brittany Landry, according to FOX 5 Atlanta.

Landry described the emotional impact of seeing the incident while she was at the park.

"We were just on there," said Brittany Landry, according to FOX 5 Atlanta.

She explained her reaction after witnessing the event near the ride.

"You go to ride (a) roller coaster to get the adrenaline rush, but you always expect to get back. You don't expect to not come home," said Brittany Landry, according to FOX 5 Atlanta.

Deysi Gonzalez was in line for another coaster when she heard people reacting to the incident. She told WXIA-TV that visitors ran toward the wooded area where the man fell.

"I'm getting out of this line," said a person next to Deysi Gonzalez, as reported by WXIA-TV.

"Somebody just fell off of the Goliath," said the person next to Deysi Gonzalez, as reported by WXIA-TV.

Cobb County Board of Commissioners Chairwoman Lisa N. Cupid called the death a tragedy and said the county was working with Six Flags and other partners during the investigation.

"A terrible tragedy," said Lisa N. Cupid, Cobb County Board of Commissioners Chairwoman.

"Cobb County Police officers responded immediately, and detectives with the Major Crimes Unit are investigating the circumstances surrounding this incident," said Lisa N. Cupid, Cobb County Board of Commissioners Chairwoman.

Cupid also addressed coordination between local authorities and the park as detectives reviewed the circumstances surrounding the death.

"The County is working closely with Six Flags Over Georgia and other appropriate partners as the investigation proceeds," said Lisa N. Cupid, Cobb County Board of Commissioners Chairwoman.

The county leader also acknowledged the impact on the victim’s family, park visitors, and employees who witnessed the event.

"We are all grappling with how something so devastating could happen at a place that has given generations of families such happy memories," said Lisa N. Cupid, Cobb County Board of Commissioners Chairwoman.