Six Flags temporarily closed 10 roller coasters after an Atlanta teacher died in a fall at its Georgia park, prompting tributes from the school where he worked for more than 12 years.
Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, 42, of Atlanta, died following the incident Monday at Six Flags Over Georgia, Cobb County police confirmed in a Tuesday update.
Kariem served as an IT manager, technology teacher and robotics coach at Wesley International Academy, an Atlanta charter school, for more than 12 years, Atlanta News First reported.
“Mr. Kariem was deeply loved and respected, and his absence will be felt throughout our school community,” the school said in a statement carried by Atlanta News First.
Police examine fatal fall
Officers working at the park responded at approximately 3:58 p.m. and found Kariem beneath the ride, unresponsive and not breathing, police said.
Preliminary information from witness and employee interviews indicates that Kariem came out of his seat and struck other patrons before falling beneath the attraction, police said. The department’s Major Crimes Unit continues to investigate the circumstances. Its Tuesday update did not identify what caused him to come out of his seat.
The incident also injured other people, Cobb County officials confirmed Monday. Their statement did not provide a count or describe the injuries.
The Dallas Express covered witness accounts of the fatal fall and the company’s initial response in its earlier report.
Closures extend beyond Georgia
Six Flags closed Goliath at the Georgia park and nine other coasters at six parks in the United States and Canada as a precaution, ABC News reported. The company described the broader shutdowns as “out of an abundance of caution.”
The additional closures include Goliath at Six Flags Magic Mountain; Raging Bull at Six Flags Great America; Nitro at Six Flags Great Adventure; Behemoth and Leviathan at Canada’s Wonderland; Fury 325 and Thunder Striker at Carowinds; and Orion and Diamondback at Kings Island.
The reported closure list includes no rides at Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington or Six Flags Fiesta Texas in San Antonio, KSAT reported.
Georgia’s Office of the Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire has also launched a review of the incident and compliance with applicable policies and procedures, ABC News reported.
Goliath reaches 200 feet and opened in 2006, the park’s website states. Bolliger & Mabillard manufactured the coaster.
