Six Flags Closes Nine Coasters After Rider Dies in Georgia

Six Flags Entertainment Corp. temporarily closed nine roller coasters at six parks in the United States and Canada after a rider was thrown from a coaster and killed at Six Flags Over Georgia on October 12, the Boston Globe reported.

Cobb County police identified the man as Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, 42, an information technology manager at Wesley International Academy, a public charter school in Atlanta. He was riding Goliath, the park's tallest coaster, which has a 200-foot first hill and uses lap bars rather than seat belts. Witnesses said he was ejected on the ride's final turn and struck several people before falling.

State regulators in Georgia and police are investigating. Bolliger & Mabillard, the Swiss manufacturer of the ride, said it would not comment further until it understood what occurred.

Six Flags New England in Agawam did not answer a request for comment on October 13 about whether it was adding precautions, according to the Globe. The Western Massachusetts park operates coasters including Wicked Cyclone and Superman: the Ride, which stalled near the top of its lift hill on April 24, forcing riders to climb down from the track.

Major amusement parks are regulated by states, not the federal government. U.S. Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts has repeatedly filed bills to end that exemption.

This story was first reported by The Boston Globe.