Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem dies in Atlanta roller coaster fall

Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem died after falling from an Atlanta-area roller coaster, authorities confirmed on Monday. His fatal fall from the Goliath ride also left several other people injured. The incident occurred at Six Flags Over Georgia. Authorities have not released information explaining how the 42-year-old man was thrown from the ride.

The tragedy follows other deadly incidents on amusement park rides nationwide. At Six Flags Magic Mountain in Southern California, the park announced the retirement of the X2 roller coaster last month. Lawsuits alleged riders suffered severe brain injuries on that attraction.

The park settled a wrongful-death lawsuit with the family of a 22-year-old rider. That rider suffered severe brain bleeding in 2022 and died the following day. The medical examiner’s office determined he died from “blunt head trauma.” Six Flags Entertainment Corp. said the ride consistently passed safety tests.

Another fatality occurred at the Universal Orlando Resort park Epic Universe. Medical examiner Joshua Stephany ruled the death an accident. He concluded a man in his 30s died from blunt impact injuries after riding Stardust Racers. The rider was found unresponsive last year.

In 2013, a woman riding the Texas Giant in Texas was thrown from her seat. She fell 75 feet, or 23 meters, and struck a metal beam before dying. Witnesses said the woman worried the ride’s safety bar was not completely engaged before starting.

Other theme parks have recorded fatal ride falls over the past two decades:

• A U.S. Army veteran with both legs amputated died at Darien Lake Theme Park & Resort in 2011.
• A 21-year-old rider fell to her death from a Louisiana coaster at Dixie Landin’ in 2010.
• A California Disneyland roller coaster locomotive detached on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in 2003, killing one rider.

Investigators said Darien Lake operators did not follow rules requiring riders to have both legs. In Louisiana, a state investigation could not determine a cause for the Dixie Landin’ fall. State investigators found a loose guide wheel and a missing safety wire caused the Disneyland derailment.

Amusement park fatal incidents trigger reviews by state safety investigators and local law enforcement agencies. Officials examine maintenance records and restraint systems to determine mechanical failures or operational errors. Public reports document the physical factors involved in each fatal accident.

The Atlanta amusement park fatal fall remains under review following the Monday incident. Authorities have not yet disclosed further details regarding the coaster restraints.