Goliath death: why Six Flags shut nine hypercoasters at six parks

A man was killed Monday, October 12, 2026, while riding the Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia. Cobb County Police identified him Tuesday as Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, 42, an IT manager, technology teacher and robotics coach at an Atlanta public charter school. Police said he was found beneath the coaster around 4 p.m.

Goliath is a 210-second hypercoaster that reaches 70 mph and a 200-foot first hill, according to the park's website. Police and state ride inspectors are investigating. No cause has been announced.

Within a day, Six Flags temporarily closed nine similar hypercoasters at six parks in the U.S. and Canada: Nitro at Great Adventure; Raging Bull at Great America; Behemoth and Leviathan at Canada's Wonderland; Goliath at Magic Mountain; Fury 325 and Thunder Striker at Carowinds; and Orion and Diamondback at Kings Island. All but one were manufactured by Bolliger & Mabillard, according to ABC News. The company said "the safety of our guests and associates remains one of our highest priorities."

The scope is the story. A single-park fatality would normally draw local investigators and a statement. Closing nine rides across two countries treats the death as a possible class-wide problem before any finding exists. Personal injury attorney Mark Lopez-Trigo told Fox News Digital investigators will likely examine "what led to this incident, whether it be isolated or system-wide" and "was it a failure in the system itself?"

That question is unanswered. It is not known whether the closed coasters share a component, maintenance protocol or inspection finding with Goliath, or whether they were pulled only because they are similar. It is not known how long they will stay closed or what criteria will govern reopening.

Markets moved faster than regulators. Six Flags Entertainment (NYSE: FUN) fell more than 15% by midday, and SueWallSt notified investors of a pending shareholder investigation. The incident came two weeks after the permanent closure of the X2 rollercoaster on September 29, 2026, following a CNN investigation and lawsuit filings. Whether that closure connects to this one is also unknown.

The company's safety statement and the shutdown are consistent with caution. They are also consistent with a problem that reaches beyond one park. Only the inspectors' findings will distinguish the two.