A man fell to his death from a roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia, leading to the closures of two coasters at Carowinds in Charlotte, North Carolina, along with seven more closures across the nation.
According to a report from USA TODAY, the victim, identified as Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, 42, of Atlanta, was ejected from his car, fell and hit the ride three times. Cobb County police noted that other patrons of the park were also injured in the incident.
"Preliminary information gathered through witness and employee interview indicates Kariem was ejected from the ride and struck other patrons before falling beneath the attraction," Cobb County police said in a statement on the incident.
Officials confirmed that nine coasters at other Six Flags
properties will be closed following the incident "out of an abundance of caution."
Six Flags Over Georgia death: What happened?
According to a report from USA TODAY, Kariem fell to his death after being ejected from his car on the Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia on Tuesday, Oct. 13. Reports also note that four others were injured, with at least some of the injuries occurring when victims were struck by Kariem as he fell.
How many people have died at Six Flags Over Georgia?
USA TODAY reported that there have been at least eight deaths tied to Six Flags Over Georgia customers or employees, including at least four deaths connected to the park's roller coasters.
What Six Flags roller coasters are closing? Will Carowinds close roller coasters?
According to the USA TODAY report, nine roller coasters at six of the corporation's properties will close due to similarities to the roller coaster involved in the incident. Two of the coasters set to close are located at Carowinds in Charlotte.
Park officials told news outlets that closures are temporary and made "out of an abundance of caution." The full list of coasters that will close includes:
- Raging Bull at Six Flags Great America in Illinois
- Goliath at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California
- Nitro at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson Township, New Jersey
- Behemoth at Canada’s Wonderland in Vaughan, Ontario
- Leviathan at Canada’s Wonderland in Vaughan, Ontario
- Fury 325 at Carowinds in Charlotte, North Carolina
- Thunder Striker at Carowinds in Charlotte, North Carolina
- Orion at Kings Island in Kings Island, Ohio
- Diamondback at Kings Island in Kings Island, Ohio
Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at iseaton@citizentimes.com.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Man dies at Six Flags Georgia. Prompting closure of 2 NC roller coasters
