Roller Coaster Death
In this photo provided by Kelvin Johnson, Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem is shown in an undated photo. Kariem, an Atlanta resident, died after he was thrown from his seat while riding a rollercoaster at Six Flags Over Georgia on Monday, Oct. 12, 2026.
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A man's death on a Six Flags roller coaster in Georgia has raised questions about ride safety and regulation. On Monday, a 42-year-old man was thrown from his seat on the Goliath ride, striking other patrons before landing below. In the U.S., state governments regulate amusement parks, not the federal government. Deadly roller coaster accidents are rare, and some experts say the industry has multiple safety checks and adheres to high standards set worldwide. Others call for more federal oversight to ensure consistent safety standards across states.
Six Flags Over Georgia has opened for the first time since a man fell to his death from the Goliath roller coaster. Authorities are investigating the death, which occurred Monday. Witnesses reported seeing Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem ejected from the ride. Some riders have said they expressed concerns about the coaster's restraints. Goliath is expected to remain closed, but the park opened Friday as scheduled. At least 11 other coasters in the U.S. and Canada, have been temporarily shut down since Monday.
