Police identified the 42-year-old Atlanta man who died as authorities began examining how he was ejected from the high-speed ride.
AUSTELL, Ga. — Georgia authorities are investigating the death of a 42-year-old Atlanta man who police say was ejected from the Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia, an incident that also injured several other people and led to an evacuation of the ride Monday afternoon.
Cobb County police identified the man Tuesday as Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem. Police said preliminary information from interviews with witnesses and park employees indicated Kariem was ejected from the ride and struck other patrons before falling beneath the attraction. Investigators have not announced what caused him to leave the ride, and authorities have not released a final determination about whether a mechanical problem, restraint issue or another factor contributed to the incident.
The incident was reported shortly before 4 p.m. Monday at the amusement park west of Atlanta. Police officers assigned to the park and other patrol officers responded, and detectives with the department’s Major Crimes Unit began investigating. Four other people were injured, according to officials, though authorities had not publicly detailed the nature or severity of those injuries by Tuesday morning.
Images from the park after the incident showed Goliath stopped with riders aboard and a train positioned on the coaster’s large first hill. Emergency personnel escorted passengers from the ride using an evacuation stairway. Six Flags later closed the park for the day. The company said its employees and local authorities responded immediately and that it was cooperating with the investigation.
The Georgia Office of the Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire also opened an investigation. The agency said Tuesday that its team was conducting an in-depth review to determine the circumstances of the incident and assess compliance with applicable policies and procedures. The office said it could not release additional details while that work remained underway.
Six Flags said it was deeply saddened by the death and was providing support to guests and employees affected by the incident. The company said it would not release further details about the guest out of respect for the family’s privacy. Local officials also expressed condolences and said public safety agencies were coordinating with the park as investigators worked to determine what happened.
Cobb County Board of Commissioners Chairwoman Lisa Cupid called the incident a tragedy and said the county was working with Six Flags and other agencies. Mableton officials said the city’s public safety director was coordinating with Cobb County police and park security. Authorities have stressed that the investigation remains active and that additional information will be released as facts are confirmed.
Goliath opened at Six Flags Over Georgia in 2006. Six Flags describes the Bolliger & Mabillard hypercoaster as reaching 200 feet and speeds of about 70 mph, with a minimum rider height of 54 inches. The ride is one of the park’s most prominent attractions and extends beyond portions of the park before returning to the station area.
The investigation now centers on how Kariem was ejected and whether any condition involving the ride, its operation or other circumstances played a role. Officials had not announced a cause Tuesday, and no final investigative findings had been released. Six Flags Over Georgia was not scheduled to reopen until Friday under its offseason operating calendar.
Author note: Last updated October 13, 2026.