Man Dies on Six Flags Georgia Roller Coaster; Nine Rides Close
The Story
La Ronde has temporarily closed its Goliath roller coaster for a thorough safety review in collaboration with the ride's manufacturer, following a fatal incident at Six Flags Over Georgia.
Canada's Wonderland also closed its Leviathan and Behemoth roller coasters out of an abundance of caution. Six Flags Entertainment temporarily closed nine similar hypercoasters across six theme parks in North America as a precaution. Most of these rides were manufactured by Bolliger & Mabillard, which stated it is actively investigating the incident. Police said Kariem struck other patrons before landing below the ride.
Six people were injured in the incident, according to CTV News, while other sources report several injuries. Witnesses Logan Conner and Britny Landry described seeing the man levitate or fly out of his seat. One witness told 11 Alive News that Kariem fell and hit the car three different times. Kariem was an IT specialist and father-of-two, riding with his son while his wife and young daughter watched nearby.
Monday. The Goliath, introduced in 2006, is a hypercoaster over 200 feet tall, reaching speeds of 70 mph. Six Flags stock slid as much as 16.3% following the incident. Six Flags stated it is deeply saddened and cooperating fully with authorities. The company permanently shut down its X2 roller coaster at Magic Mountain in Southern California in late September after multiple lawsuits alleged it caused serious brain injuries.
The Spread
The coverage 37 sources
- LeftCNNSix Flags temporarily closes some roller coasters nationwide after man dies falling from ride in Georgia (opens the publisher’s site)
- LeftHuffPost1 Dead, Several Injured After Man Falls From Six Flags Roller Coaster (opens the publisher’s site)
- Center-LeftABC NewsSix Flags temporarily closes 9 other roller coasters after fatal incident in Georgia (opens the publisher’s site)
- Center-LeftCBS NewsSix Flags closes 9 rides across 6 parks after deadly incident (opens the publisher’s site)
- Center-LeftNBC NewsMan Dies After Falling Out of Six Flags Roller Coaster in Georgia (opens the publisher’s site)
- Center-LeftThe Boston GlobeMan killed on a Six Flags roller coaster was thrown from the ride and hit other patrons, police say (opens the publisher’s site)
- Center-LeftThe New York TimesPolice Identify 42-Year Old Man Killed at Six Flags Over Georgia (opens the publisher’s site)
- Center-LeftToronto StarCanada’s Wonderland closes two roller coasters following fatal incident in Georgia (opens the publisher’s site)
- CenterAnchorage Daily NewsOne person is dead, several others injured in incident involving Six Flags roller coaster in Georgia (opens the publisher’s site)
- CenterAssociated PressSix Flags closes 9 rides after 1 person dies in an incident involving a roller coaster in Georgia - AP News (opens the publisher’s site)