Six Flags Over Georgia is expected to reopen after a 42-year-old teacher died after an incident on the park’s famous Goliath roller coaster.
Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem’s body was found beneath the roller coaster on Monday, with witnesses telling authorities that the man had struck other passengers upon falling from the ride. An investigation into the incident at the park, which is located around 20 miles from Atlanta, is now underway, the Cobb County Police Department says.
Four days after Kariem’s death, the park is set to reopen, according to its website.
Park President Richard Pretlow has said in a press release that a reopening date for Goliath has not yet been determined.
“Goliath remains temporarily closed. We do not have an anticipated reopening date at this time,” Pretlow wrote. “I understand the concern surrounding this incident and appreciate the patience of our guests, season passholders and community members.”
The park president added, “We remain committed to providing safe, fun and memorable experiences.”
On Monday, a witness told 11Alive that Kariem fell onto another person on the roller coaster.
“He didn’t fall directly onto us. He fell onto a girl two rows in front of us,” she claimed. “He fell and hit the cart three different times.”
“His son was sitting right beside him. His wife and daughter were not on the ride; they were at the bottom and had no idea,” the witness added.
Rides similar to Goliath were temporarily closed by Six Flags in the wake of the incident.
The ride is known as a hypercoaster - a term used to define a roller coaster that is around 200 to 299 feet in height. According to the Six Flags Over Georgia website, Goliath is 200 feet tall and goes at 70 mph.
Amid the investigation into the Goliath ride, Kariem, a teacher at Wesley International Academy in Atlanta, was remembered by one of his ex-students to Atlanta News First.
“I always just remember his smile and his glasses, and it’s just like, he never got mad at us,” former student Soledad Gomez said. “He was always patient with us. He would joke with us.”
Kariem’s death at Six Flags Over Georgia came weeks after Dordick Law Corporation confirmed that over 100 people had retained the firm, alleging that they had suffered traumatic brain injuries on the X2 ride at Six Flags Magic Mountain in California.
The roller coaster had seats that rotate 360 degrees independently of the chassis, with Six Flags Magic Mountain describing the “four-dimensional” ride as a “rite of passage for the ultimate daredevil.”
Magic Mountain President Brian Oerding confirmed in a statement that the ride had closed, which he referred to as the “right thing to do.”
“While X2 consistently passed a multitude of safety tests, we have decided to close the ride because we believe it’s the right thing to do,” Oerding said. “Ride safety is a cornerstone of our business, and when we see guest confidence affected, we take it seriously.”
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