Six Flags Closes Coasters After Teacher’s Fatal Fall From Goliath

After falling from the Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia, 42-year-old teacher Hassan Kariem died on Monday. He slipped from his safety restraint and hit other carts before falling to the ground in front of other riders. The incident happened on October 11, 2026.

Six Flags has shut down Goliath and nine other coasters across six parks while investigators look into the crash. The company stated they closed the rides “out of an abundance of caution” to ensure safety. Investigators will now check every detail of the ride’s design and maintenance records.

Legal Standards in Georgia

A lawyer for the victim says the park might not be held responsible for the death. Daniel Adamson of Dixon-Adamson told the New York Post that the key issue is whether the park knew about risks. “The key question is not just what went wrong, but also if someone knew — or should have known — what could have gone wrong,” Adamson said.

Georgia law treats theme parks differently than buses or trains. A 1982 state supreme court case set a lower safety standard for amusement parks called “ordinary care.” This means the park only needs to show it acted reasonably, not with the highest level of caution required for public transit. This lower standard could make it harder to sue the park for damages.

Adamson noted that riders usually accept the thrill of a ride but not the risk of being thrown out. The park will need to prove Kariem assumed the risk of such a rare accident.

Investigation Focuses on Prevention

Investigators will look closely at whether this tragedy could have been stopped. The question of whether this was a preventable tragedy stood out as the most significant issue. Adamson explained. They plan to review inspection logs and check for any prior safety complaints against the ride.

If investigators find that Six Flags followed all local codes and rules, the park might avoid liability. Adamson said there is a “world in which the park wouldn’t be liable for Kariem’s death” if they followed the law strictly. The lack of a safety belt on Goliath is also part of the inquiry, though it is unclear if that caused the fall.

What Comes Next for Families

The closure of these rides comes during the busy autumn season for theme parks. Although Six Flags Great Adventure’s “Fright Fest” event continues until Halloween, it remains unknown if the Nitro coaster will reopen before that date. The company says the safety of guests remains a top priority while the probe continues.

The family of Hassan Kariem is left waiting for answers about how a teacher could fall from a ride. His death has sparked a deep review of how theme parks in Georgia handle guest safety.