42-year-old man dies after falling off Six Flags roller coaster in Georgia: Police
The incident occurred Monday at Six Flags Over Georgia in Cobb County.
A 42-year-old man died after being ejected from a roller coaster at a Six Flags amusement park in Georgia, police said.
The man -- Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, of Atlanta -- was found dead beneath the ride at Six Flags Over Georgia on Monday, according to the Cobb County Police Department.
"Preliminary information gathered through witness and employee interviews indicates Kariem was ejected from the ride and struck other patrons before falling beneath the attraction," the Cobb County Police Department said in a statement on Tuesday. "Investigators continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident."
The Office of the Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire, which is responsible for the safety of amusement park rides, also said it is "actively investigating" the incident.
"Our investigative team is conducting an in‑depth and comprehensive review to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident and to ensure full compliance with all applicable policies and procedures," Garrison Bennett, the agency's press secretary, said in a statement on Tuesday.
Several people were also injured in the incident, which occurred shortly before 4 p.m. Monday, according to police.
Distraught witnesses described the horrific incident to a local station, saying they saw a man fall from the amusement park's Goliath roller coaster and hit the ride several times, and that the fall was captured on their souvenir pictures.
Riders on the Goliath were seen being evacuated off the roller coaster on Monday, after it stopped near the top of the ride.
A Six Flags spokesperson said that the "park team and local authorities responded immediately, and we are cooperating fully with local authorities as they complete their investigation."
"We are deeply saddened by the guest incident at our park today," the spokesperson said in a statement. "Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with the guest's family, friends, and loved ones. We are also providing support to the guests and team members affected."
The spokesperson said it has "temporarily closed similar attractions across our parks."
The spokesperson added that they will not be releasing additional information at this time "out of respect for the family's privacy."
Six Flags Over Georgia is located in Austell, west of Atlanta. The Goliath roller coaster reaches an elevation of 200 feet and speeds up to 70 mph, according to the amusement park's website. The ride first opened in 2006.
The manufacturer of the Goliath coaster, Switzerland-based Bolliger & Mabillard, said the company is "deeply saddened by this tragic accident."
"Our thoughts are with the family and those affected," Olivier Bolliger of Bolliger & Mabillard said in a statement Tuesday. "We are actively investigating the incident and will not comment further until we have a better understanding of what happened."
