A 42-year-old man died after being ejected from a roller coaster while riding with his son at a theme park in the United States. In response to the incident, the operator suspended the operation of nine similar roller coasters at six parks in the U.S. and Canada.
The accident occurred on October 12 at approximately 3:58 p.m. at Six Flags Over Georgia, located near Atlanta. One person was killed, and four others were injured, according to the Cobb County Police and the Associated Press.
The deceased has been identified as Hasan Jihad Ibn Karim, a resident of Atlanta. He was reportedly riding the Goliath roller coaster with his son at the time of the incident.
Police determined, based on witness statements and accounts from park staff, that Karim was ejected from his seat during the ride, collided with other passengers, and fell beneath the ride.
Officers who arrived at the scene found Karim unresponsive and without a pulse beneath the ride. Several other passengers were injured, but details regarding their injuries have not been disclosed.
A witness told local media that Karim appeared to float above his seat before falling toward the ride and then being ejected outwards.
The Goliath, which opened in 2006, is a large roller coaster that reaches a height of approximately 200 feet and speeds of about 70 mph. It is equipped with a safety bar that secures the lower body of riders, but it does not have a separate safety belt.
However, the exact cause of the accident, including whether there was a failure of safety devices, has not yet been determined.
Following the incident, Six Flags Entertainment took precautionary measures by temporarily halting the operation of nine similar roller coasters at six parks in the U.S. and Canada.
The affected rides include Nitro in New Jersey, Raging Bull in Illinois, and Goliath in California, as well as Leviathan and Behemoth at Canada's Wonderland.
Of the nine rides, eight were manufactured by Swiss company Bolliger & Mabillard, while the Goliath in California was produced by Giovanola. Bolliger & Mabillard has also begun its own investigation into the incident.
Karim was confirmed to have worked as an IT manager at Wesley International Academy in Atlanta. The school expressed its condolences over his death.
The Cobb County Police Major Crimes Unit and the Georgia amusement ride safety authority are investigating the circumstances surrounding the accident. The operator has stated it is cooperating with the investigation.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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