Six Flags Closes Nine Coasters After Georgia Death

A 42-year-old man died and several people were injured after an incident involving the Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia in Austell, Georgia, on Monday. Authorities have not released details on how Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem was thrown from the ride, while Six Flags temporarily closed similar attractions.

According to Six Flags Entertainment Corporation, nine roller coasters were paused as a precaution after the Georgia incident. The company said the closures have no set reopening timeline and did not include rides at the San Antonio park or other Texas locations.

The paused attractions include Goliath at Six Flags Over Georgia, Raging Bull at Six Flags Great America, Goliath at Six Flags Magic Mountain, Nitro at Six Flags Great Adventure, Leviathan and Behemoth at Canada’s Wonderland, Fury 325 and Thunder Striker at Carowinds, and Orion and Diamondback at Kings Island.

Six Flags said the company is cooperating with authorities and providing support to affected guests and team members.

"The safety of our guests and team members is our highest priority," a Six Flags spokesperson said.

The spokesperson also addressed the fatal incident at the Georgia park, where video showed passengers being evacuated from Goliath, a coaster that opened in 2006 and reaches 70 mph at a height of 200 feet.

"We were deeply saddened by the guest incident at one of our parks yesterday," a Six Flags spokesperson said.

"Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with the guest’s family, friends, and loved ones," a Six Flags spokesperson said.

Six Flags said it would not release further details because of the family’s privacy and said it had no additional information approved for release.

"No additional approved information to share at this time," a Six Flags spokesperson said.

Other recent U.S. roller coaster deaths have involved different parks and circumstances. A wrongful-death lawsuit settlement involving a 22-year-old rider at Six Flags Magic Mountain followed a medical examiner’s finding of "blunt head trauma."

The X2 coaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain was retired after lawsuits alleged serious brain injuries, although Six Flags said the ride had consistently passed safety tests.

A medical examiner also ruled that a man in his 30s who died after riding Stardust Racers at Universal Orlando Resort died from "blunt impact injuries."

Earlier cases include a 2013 Texas Giant death after a rider fell 75 feet, a 2011 fatality at Darien Lake after investigators found ride rules were not followed, a 2010 death at Dixie Landin', and a 2003 Big Thunder Mountain Railroad death linked to a detached guide wheel.