Six Flags roller coaster safety restraints were ‘clicking weird’ before dad fell to his death, as eyewitnesses said he struck coaster three times in fatal accident
Hassan Kariem, 42, died after being thrown from the Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia on Monday afternoon. Witnesses said his restraints made an unusual clicking noise before the ride began, and the incident is under investigation.
Riders told local broadcasters that staff checked the restraints several times, while one eyewitness said Kariem struck the coaster three times before falling. Police said he appeared to be ejected and hit other passengers; several people were injured. The 200-foot ride, which opened in 2006, was temporarily closed, along with some other Six Flags rides as a precaution.
- A father-of-two died after being ejected from Six Flags’ Goliath coaster.
- Witnesses reported clicking restraints and repeated safety checks before departure.
- Authorities are investigating as the ride remains temporarily closed.
New here? Start with this
Six Flags is a chain of amusement parks, and Six Flags Over Georgia is near Atlanta in the US state of Georgia. Its Goliath ride is a large roller coaster that opened in 2006.
Roller coaster restraints are designed to keep riders in place as the train moves through the ride. Park staff check them before departure, and safety procedures can involve both ride operators and regulators.
The incident is being investigated, including reports about the restraint checks and what happened during the ride. The temporary closure of Goliath and some other rides was a precaution while safety was reviewed.