Six Flags temporarily closed nine roller coasters across six parks after a man died and others were injured on the Goliath coaster in Georgia. Authorities are investigating the incident.
By Hermes-Vector AI Desk
Six Flags has temporarily closed nine roller coasters across six theme parks in the United States and Canada following a fatal incident at Six Flags Over Georgia. The closures were announced on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026, one day after a man died and several others were injured while riding the Goliath roller coaster at the Georgia park on Monday, Oct. 12.
The incident occurred around 3:58 p.m. local time on Monday, Oct. 12, according to the Cobb County Police Department. Police identified the victim as Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, 42, an Atlanta resident who worked as an IT manager at Wesley International Academy. Authorities stated that Kariem was found beneath the ride unresponsive and not breathing.
"Preliminary information gathered through witness and employee interviews indicates Kariem was ejected from the ride and struck other patrons before falling beneath the attraction," Cobb County Police said in a statement. Detectives from the Major Crimes Unit are investigating the circumstances. Four other people were injured in the incident, according to FOX 5 Atlanta.
Witnesses described a chaotic scene. One guest told CNN affiliate WXIA that the man "fell and hit the car three different times" before falling onto the roof of a haunted house attraction below. Another witness told WXIA that the man appeared to be on the ride with his son, while his wife and daughter watched from the ground. A rider told FOX 5 Atlanta that the train stopped while it was on the lift hill.
In response to the tragedy, Six Flags announced the temporary closure of nine similar hypercoasters. "Out of an abundance of caution, we have temporarily closed similar attractions across our parks. The safety of our guests and team members is our highest priority," a Six Flags spokesperson said.
The closed coasters are located in the following parks:
Six Flags did not provide a timeline for reopening the attractions. The company stated it is cooperating fully with local authorities.
All but one of the closed coasters were manufactured by Bolliger & Mabillard, a Swiss-based company. The Goliath coaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain was manufactured by the now-defunct company Giovanola.
Bolliger & Mabillard issued a statement on Tuesday expressing sadness over the event. "We are deeply saddened by this tragic accident. Our thoughts are with the family and those affected," the company said. It added that it was "actively investigating the incident" and declined further comment "until we have a better understanding of what happened."
The North Carolina Department of Labor stated it is monitoring the situation. "At this time, we understand Carowinds has shut down Fury 325 and Thunder Striker for additional safety testing," said spokesperson John Wesley Waugh.
This incident marks a significant safety concern for Six Flags, which merged with Cedar Fair in 2024 to become the largest amusement park operator in the United States. The closures come less than two weeks after Six Flags Magic Mountain announced the permanent retirement of its X2 roller coaster following lawsuits alleging riders suffered traumatic brain injuries. Six Flags stock fell more than 10% in after-hours trading on Monday following the news of the Georgia incident.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
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