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Six Flags Over Georgia Reopens After Goliath Fatality

By Drooid · Oct 17, 2026, 3:14 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Six Flags Reopens

Six Flags Over Georgia reopened Friday despite the fatal Goliath roller-coaster accident.
42-year-old Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem fell from Goliath, was found unresponsive, and died.
Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John King is leading a state investigation with no findings released.
Six Flags temporarily shut down nine rides at six parks that use lap restraints similar to Goliath.

Summary

Six Flags Honors

Six Flags renamed its Fright Fest production “Dr. Fright’s Party” to honor the deceased rider.
Flowers, balloons and a condolence card lined the park fence after the incident.
Cobb County Commission Chair Lisa Cupid urged visitors to exercise discretion and follow park safety statements.
The park planned a 6 p.m. Friday reopening for Fright Fest, though the Goliath coaster stays closed.
Four riders were injured, and officials have not disclosed their medical conditions.

History

Historical Context

In 2024, Georgia safety commissioner John King opened a probe into a fatal lap-restraint failure at Six Flags Over Georgia, echoing earlier high-profile accidents at Six Flags parks—such as the 2013 Texas Giant death and the 2021 El Toro derailment that earned a $5,000 fine. Those incidents have driven state agencies to tighten ride-safety oversight nationwide.

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Six Flags Reopens

Six Flags Over Georgia reopened Friday despite the fatal Goliath roller-coaster accident.
42-year-old Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem fell from Goliath, was found unresponsive, and died.
Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John King is leading a state investigation with no findings released.
Six Flags temporarily shut down nine rides at six parks that use lap restraints similar to Goliath.

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