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Six Flags Over Georgia Investigates Rider Death on Goliath

By Drooid · Oct 16, 2026, 10:38 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Six Flags Over Georgia confirmed a rider died after being ejected from Goliath coaster.
The victim was 42-year-old Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, an IT manager.
Four other riders, including two children, suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
Cobb County police and Georgia’s Office of Insurance and Safety Fire are conducting a joint investigation.
Six Flags reopened Friday for Fright Fest while Goliath remained closed for safety reviews.

History

Historical Context

The 2 June 2015 collision on Alton Towers’ Smiler, which injured 16 riders and left two with amputated legs, triggered a Health and Safety Executive prosecution that fined Merlin Entertainments £5 million. The crash prompted temporary closures of sister-park coasters and a nationwide audit of restraint systems, marking a shift toward stricter UK amusement-ride certification.

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Story summary

Six Flags Over Georgia confirmed a rider died after being ejected from Goliath coaster.
The victim was 42-year-old Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, an IT manager.
Four other riders, including two children, suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
Cobb County police and Georgia’s Office of Insurance and Safety Fire are conducting a joint investigation.
Six Flags reopened Friday for Fright Fest while Goliath remained closed for safety reviews.

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