AI-generated illustration; not a photograph of the reported event.
- calendar_today October 13, 2026
Fatal Roller Coaster Accident at Six Flags Over Georgia
A 42-year-old Atlanta man, Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, was killed at Six Flags Over Georgia after being thrown from a roller coaster and striking other patrons before landing below, according to Cobb County police. The tragic event occurred on Monday in Austell, near Atlanta, and prompted an immediate response from local authorities and Six Flags Entertainment Corp.
Details of the Incident
Witnesses described the alarming scene as the man was reportedly tossed from his seat mid-ride. Logan Conner, who was riding the coaster with his fiancée, recalled seeing the man "levitating in the air sideways." Britny Landry, who had been on the ride earlier, recounted seeing someone "fly out" while waiting in line. Police have not released further information about the conditions or identities of several other people who were hurt during the incident.
Immediate Park and Ride Response
Authorities did not yet identify the specific ride involved, but local media broadcast footage showing passengers being evacuated from the Goliath coaster. On Tuesday, one of Goliath’s trains was seen stopped on the track as it ascended the ride’s first hill. The park, which was already scheduled to be closed Tuesday, took additional precautions following the event.
Six Flags Closures and Ongoing Investigation
Six Flags Entertainment Corporation temporarily closed nine roller coasters across six amusement parks in response to the incident, according to a company spokesperson. "We are deeply saddened by the guest incident at our park today," the spokesperson said, emphasizing immediate support for affected guests and staff and ongoing cooperation with investigators. The Cobb County Police Department is leading the investigation, with support from local authorities. Georgia’s Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner, responsible for ride inspections, had not yet commented as of Tuesday.
History and Safety Record of Goliath and Six Flags
Goliath, which opened in 2006, is a high-speed roller coaster reaching 70 mph with a height of 200 feet, according to the park's website. Six Flags Over Georgia, operational since 1967, has previously reported at least seven fatalities since 1989, as tracked by the Doan Law Firm. Previous incidents have included individuals entering restricted ride areas, auto accidents, and a 2006 death likely caused by a heart attack on the same coaster.
Recent Roller Coaster Safety Concerns
The fatal roller coaster accident at Six Flags Over Georgia follows a string of high-profile theme park accidents nationwide. Less than two weeks prior, Six Flags Magic Mountain in California announced the retirement of its X2 roller coaster after lawsuits over rider injuries and a wrongful death. In 2023, a man died after riding a high-speed coaster at Universal Epic Universe in Florida, with his death ruled accidental.
Community and Official Response
Lisa Cupid, chairwoman of the Cobb County Board of Commissioners, confirmed that Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem’s next of kin were notified. She expressed condolences to the victim’s family and acknowledged the trauma experienced by patrons and staff. "We are all grappling with how something so devastating could happen at a place that has given generations of families such happy memories," Cupid said.
Source: wgntv.com.
