Man dies after being ejected from Six Flags roller coaster in Georgia

A 42-year-old man, identified as Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, died after being ejected from a roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia on Monday afternoon, police said. Cobb County officers responded to the incident just before 16:00 local time and found the victim dead on the ground after the ride stopped midway.

The ride, identified by witnesses and aerial footage as the Goliath coaster, opened in 2006 and features a 200-foot lift, a 170-foot drop and speeds up to 70 mph. Six Flags announced that nine rides across its U.S. and Canadian parks have been temporarily closed while the investigation proceeds.

"Officers working at the park responded to an incident involving a male guest on a roller coaster," the police department said in a statement.

"We are deeply saddened by the guest incident and our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with the guest's family, friends, and loved ones," Six Flags said.

Eyewitnesses described the moment the rider was thrown from his seat, striking another cart before falling to the ground. One witness reported hearing calls for emergency services and seeing a restraint bar unlatched. Another said a photo taken by the ride’s on-board camera appeared to capture the incident, though the claim could not be verified.

Kariem, a resident of Atlanta, worked for more than a decade at Wesley International Academy as an IT manager, technology teacher and robotics coach. The school expressed condolences, noting his long-standing contributions to the community.

Authorities have not released details about the cause of the ejection, and the investigation remains ongoing.