Amusement parks shut roller coasters following fatal Georgia accident

Amusement parks across North America have shut down roller coasters following a fatal incident on Monday at Six Flags Over Georgia in Austell. The New York Post reported that the number of halted roller coasters reached 11 after Sea World Orlando in Florida and La Ronde in Montreal temporarily closed rides on Thursday. The Standard previously reported that Six Flags had closed nine roller coasters in North America. [1][7][12]

Authorities identified the victim as Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, a 42-year-old school employee and technology professional from Atlanta. According to the Daily Mail, Kariem was attending the park to celebrate his niece's 13th birthday when he was ejected from his seat on the Goliath roller coaster in front of other passengers. The New York Post and the Daily Mail both reported that police and state regulatory agencies are investigating what caused the fall. [1][2]

Six Flags Over Georgia opened in June 1967 and is located in Mableton, Georgia, with an Austell mailing address. As FTMQ News reported earlier, a man died and four other people were injured during the incident on the Goliath roller coaster, prompting police detectives to begin an investigation. [8][12][13]

Investigating agencies continue to examine the cause of the fatal fall while the rides remain closed. The Wall Street Journal reported that the fatality has created significant setbacks for the turnaround plans of Six Flags. [1][4]