The Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia was taken out of service immediately following the fatal fall of Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, 42, on Monday afternoon, and remains closed as state investigators conduct an in-depth examination of the ride’s operations and records. The Office of the Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire (OCI) in Georgia confirmed on Thursday that the most recent inspection of the coaster on March 16 found no violations, deficiencies, citations, or red tags.
State investigators and engineers are on site reviewing the ride’s restraint systems, including its lap bar restraints, and assessing whether all applicable state safety requirements were followed. The coaster has passed annual state inspections each year since 2024, according to records obtained by ABC News. Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John King stated that the investigation will proceed with "the urgency, diligence, and unwavering commitment to public safety that this tragedy demands." The OCI has not yet released a timeline for completing the investigation or determining when the ride may resume operation.
What Happened on Monday?
Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, a 42-year-old education technology professional at Wesley International Academy, was at Six Flags Over Georgia to celebrate his fiancée’s niece’s 13th birthday. According to his future brother-in-law, Joshua Nelson, Kariem’s final moments were with the child. Witnesses reported that he was ejected from his seat during the ride and collided with the coaster’s metal frame multiple times before falling to the ground. Four other riders were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The Cobb County Police Department confirmed Kariem was found unresponsive behind a Halloween-themed haunted house attraction and was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities have not disclosed further details about the circumstances of his fall.
Maintenance Closure Hours Before Incident
Two witnesses told the New York Post that the Goliath coaster was closed for maintenance just hours before Kariem’s fall. Tina Christiansen and Emily Nguyen said they attempted to ride the coaster around 1 p.m. but were informed of delays due to maintenance. An amusement park staffer was observed performing "a couple of maintenance runs," including riding the coaster alone in the front row. The coaster reopened to the public before Kariem’s fatal ride later that afternoon.
Calls for Transparency from Six Flags
A crisis management expert criticized Six Flags for its silence following the tragedy. Marsha Archer, who has worked in crisis management for nearly 20 years, called on company executives—particularly President and CEO John Riley—to issue a public statement addressing the family of Hassan Kariem and the public. Archer stated, "Someone human has to step up to the plate and start answering those questions."
Six Flags has not publicly disclosed details about the incident or responded to requests for comment beyond confirming the coaster’s closure. The company has not indicated whether it will issue a formal statement or take additional actions while the state investigation continues.