Update, 10/13/2026, 3:25 PM
Cobb County Police have released additional details regarding the fatal incident on Goliath at Six Flags Over Georgia. The victim has been identified as 42-year-old Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem of Atlanta. According to preliminary interviews with witnesses and park employees, Kariem was ejected from the roller coaster, struck other passengers, and fell beneath the ride. Four additional people were reportedly injured during the incident.
While investigators have confirmed that an ejection occurred, what caused it remains unknown. Authorities have not determined whether a restraint malfunction or another factor contributed to the incident, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Sources: CBS News Atlanta and WSB-TV
A tragic incident at Six Flags Over Georgia on Monday afternoon has left one person dead and several others injured following an incident involving the park’s Goliath roller coaster.
According to local Atlanta news outlets, emergency crews responded to the park shortly before 4 p.m. after reports that a guest had fallen from the ride. Cobb County Police confirmed the death and additional injuries, although investigators have not yet released an official explanation of what happened.
Witnesses interviewed by FOX 5 Atlanta described seeing a person fall from Goliath as the train traveled through the coaster’s airtime hills. Another report from Atlanta’s 11Alive indicated that the person may have struck portions of the ride during the fall.
Following the incident, emergency crews were seen assisting guests down the lift hill after another train had stopped on the track. The park’s response and the ongoing police investigation have drawn considerable attention from the roller coaster community, particularly as reports of closures at other parks began circulating.
Eyewitness Accounts Raise Questions About Restraints
As news of the incident spread, several individuals claiming to have witnessed the aftermath began sharing their experiences online.
One Reddit user, who stated they were next in line to board Goliath, described a disturbing scene when the affected train returned to the station. According to their account, passengers were visibly upset, and one rider was shouting that the person seated beside him had fallen from the train.
The commenter also claimed that the empty seat’s lap restraint was completely open and unlocked when the train arrived back at the station.
Another Reddit user, posting under the name DiamondOrPoor78, claimed to have experienced problems with a restraint on Goliath just one day earlier, October 11. The individual said a seat had difficulty both locking and unlocking during their visit.
When asked for additional details, the commenter recalled sitting in approximately row six, in the far-left seat, but could not remember which train they had ridden. They also acknowledged that they had no way of knowing whether it was the same seat involved in Monday’s incident.
Both accounts remain unverified, and there is currently no evidence establishing a connection between the reported restraint problem on Sunday and Monday’s fatal incident. It is also unknown whether the earlier issue was reported to park employees.
While these accounts have understandably raised concerns, investigators have not confirmed that a restraint malfunction occurred or identified what caused the guest to fall.
Six Flags B&M Hyper and Giga Coasters Reportedly Closed
The incident appears to have prompted a wider response across Six Flags properties, with guests reporting that the company had closed its Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M) hyper and giga coasters.
Goliath is a B&M hyper coaster that opened in 2006. Standing 200 feet tall and reaching speeds of approximately 70 mph, the attraction is known for its large drops and airtime hills.
Other coasters reportedly affected include Nitro at Six Flags Great Adventure, Raging Bull at Six Flags Great America, and several former Cedar Fair attractions now operating under the Six Flags company, including Fury 325, Orion, Diamondback, Leviathan, and Behemoth.
Guests on Reddit reported seeing queues cleared and rides shut down following the incident in Georgia. However, Six Flags has not publicly confirmed the complete list of affected attractions or whether the closures were ordered across the entire company.
It is possible that the shutdowns are precautionary while inspections take place, but no official explanation has been provided.
What About Mako at SeaWorld Orlando?
The reported closures have also raised questions about Mako at SeaWorld Orlando, another B&M hyper coaster with a similar general ride design.
Mako opened in 2016 and stands 200 feet tall, reaching speeds of up to 73 mph. Like Goliath, the attraction uses lap-bar restraints and features several airtime hills throughout its course.
Reports have circulated that Mako was also closed on Monday following the incident at Six Flags Over Georgia. Behind the Splash has not independently confirmed whether Mako’s reported closure was connected to the incident or whether SeaWorld received any recommendations from B&M regarding its operation.
Although the two coasters share the same manufacturer and general ride classification, that does not necessarily mean they use identical restraint components or systems.
At this point, there has been no public confirmation of a manufacturer-wide safety directive, nor has any defect been officially identified that would establish a safety concern involving Mako.
Investigation Continues
Six Flags has acknowledged the incident and confirmed that it is cooperating with local authorities. In a statement provided to news outlets, the company expressed condolences to the guest’s family and said support was being offered to affected guests and employees.
Cobb County Police are continuing their investigation, and the circumstances that led to the fatality have not yet been officially determined.
There are still several unanswered questions, particularly regarding the restraint allegations and the reported closures of similar coasters at other parks. Until investigators release their findings, it would be premature to draw conclusions about what went wrong.
Our thoughts are with the victim’s family and everyone affected by the incident.
Behind the Splash will continue following developments, including any confirmed operational changes involving Mako at SeaWorld Orlando.
Sources: Associated Press, FOX 5 Atlanta, 11Alive, Six Flags Over Georgia, and unverified eyewitness accounts shared on Reddit.
