Chiara Nava Tragedy has struck at Six Flags amusement park in Atlanta, Georgia, where Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem , 42, died after being ejected from the Goliath roller coaster . The accident occurred Monday afternoon while he was riding the attraction, one of the park's largest. According to initial reports released by authorities, the victim fell from a height of approximately 60 meters , dying instantly.
Ibn Kariem worked at a school in Atlanta and was a huge roller coaster enthusiast . He shared photos on social media from visits to various amusement parks across the United States. Just a few months before the accident, he had joined a Facebook group dedicated to roller coaster enthusiasts. His passion turned tragic during what was supposed to be a day of fun.
Local authorities have launched an investigation to reconstruct exactly what happened and to verify any problems related to the operation of the attraction or its safety systems.
Falling on the Goliath roller coaster
According to the Cobb County Police Department, the accident occurred around 16 p.m. The man was reportedly thrown from the roller coaster car , hitting other people before falling under the structure.
By the time rescuers arrived on the scene, there was nothing more that could be done for the 42-year-old.
Some witnesses on the ride reported that the scene unfolded in a matter of moments, but with a dynamic that seemed almost slow to those on board. According to their accounts, the man began sliding forward from his seat, briefly hovering before plummeting. Others reported that, during his fall, he struck the structure several times.
Several passengers were also reportedly injured in the accident , fortunately not seriously. Their conditions and the testimonies collected could help clarify the various phases of the incident.
Safety investigations and precautionary closure of other attractions
The circumstances that led Ibn Kariem to leave his post remain unclear. Investigators will need to determine whether the restraint systems functioned properly and whether all safety procedures required for operating Goliath were followed.
Following the accident, a Six Flags spokesperson announced the temporary, precautionary closure of nine similar attractions at other North American parks. The decision was made to allow for additional technical inspections and to identify any anomalies.
According to information released by the company, most of the affected rides were scheduled to reopen after inspections, which revealed no issues with the inspected carriages. However, investigations into the fatal accident are continuing separately to determine exactly what happened aboard Goliath.
The investigators' priority remains to reconstruct the dynamics of the crash and determine any responsibilities, without drawing any conclusions until the investigations are complete.