Theme parks across the United States and Canada have suspended or reviewed roller-coaster operations after a man was killed and four others injured at Six Flags Over Georgia.
Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, 42, from Atlanta, died after being ejected from the park’s Goliath ride on Monday, according to Cobb County police. Investigators said preliminary information indicated that he struck other passengers before falling beneath the attraction.
Officers responded at about 3.58pm and found Mr Kariem unresponsive beneath the ride, police said. The circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation.
Six Flags has temporarily closed nine similar hypercoasters at six parks in the US and Canada, including Behemoth and Leviathan at Canada’s Wonderland, Fury 325 and Thunder Striker at Carowinds, and Orion and Diamondback at Kings Island.
The company said the closures were made as a precaution, while Goliath at Six Flags Over Georgia also remains shut. The park has not given a date for its reopening.
Other parks review roller-coaster operations
SeaWorld Orlando has temporarily closed Mako, a 200ft hypercoaster made by the same Swiss manufacturer, Bolliger & Mabillard, which designed Goliath. The park said it was acting “out of an abundance of caution” and was consulting the manufacturer and other safety experts.
Montreal’s La Ronde has likewise closed its own Goliath while it carries out a review with Bolliger & Mabillard. The ride is expected to remain out of service until the park is satisfied that it can operate safely.
Hersheypark is evaluating Candymonium, another Bolliger & Mabillard hypercoaster, but has not announced a separate closure. Officials said they were consulting experts before deciding whether any changes to its operation were needed.
Bolliger & Mabillard said it was “actively investigating the incident” and would not comment further until it had a better understanding of what happened. The company said it was deeply saddened and offered its thoughts to the family and others affected.
Not every ride made by the manufacturer has been taken out of service. Kings Dominion’s Dominator and Rapterra, which are different types of coaster from Goliath, remain open, while Busch Gardens Williamsburg has not confirmed a closure of Apollo’s Chariot.
Georgia’s Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner is conducting an in-depth review of the incident alongside the police investigation. Six Flags Over Georgia said its team had responded immediately and was co-operating fully with local authorities.
