AUSTELL, GA — Six Flags Over Georgia is set to reopen Friday evening, four days after a man died after falling from the Goliath roller coaster.
The park’s gates are scheduled to open at 6 p.m. Friday, but the Goliath roller coaster will remain closed as investigators continue reviewing the circumstances surrounding the fatal incident.
Hassan Kariem, 42, died Monday after falling from the ride.
Six Flags Over Georgia President Richard Pretlow released the following statement:
“We are deeply saddened by the recent incident at the park. Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences remain with the individual involved, their family, friends and loved ones. We also continue to keep the guests and team members affected by this tragic event in our thoughts.
Six Flags Over Georgia will open as scheduled on Friday, October 16. As efforts to understand the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident continue, we remain focused on supporting those affected and maintaining the safe operation of our park and attractions. All other rides and attractions that were scheduled to operate will be available to guests, subject to normal operating conditions and availability.
The safety of our guests and team members remains our highest priority. We maintain rigorous inspection, maintenance and operational procedures that meet or exceed industry standards. Our attractions undergo daily, weekly, monthly and annual inspections, and our team members receive extensive training to safely operate and maintain our rides.
Each year, millions of guests safely enjoy the rides and attractions at Six Flags parks. While serious incidents of this nature are exceedingly rare, we never take responsibility to our guests for granted and remain committed to continuous learning and improvement.
We appreciate the patience, understanding and support of our guests, season passholders and community during this difficult time. We remain committed to providing safe, fun and memorable experiences for everyone who visits our park."
Kariem is being remembered as a husband, father and technology teacher at Wesley International Academy.
A full review of the park’s procedures and maintenance of the Goliath roller coaster remains underway.
As the investigation continues, 10 similar rides across six parks in the United States and Canada have also temporarily closed.
Investigators are still working to determine what led to Kariem’s death.
