Six Flags Shuts Down Nine Roller Coasters After Georgia Death, Less Than Two Weeks After X2 Brain Injury Scandal

Six Flags has temporarily closed nine roller coasters across six U.S. amusement parks following a deadly incident in Georgia that left one man dead and several others reportedly injured. The tragedy occurred on October 12, 2026, just 13 days after the company permanently retired its controversial X2 attraction in California amid lawsuits alleging severe brain injuries.

The incident unfolded at Six Flags Over Georgia in Austell, approximately 15 miles northwest of Atlanta, involving the park’s Goliath roller coaster. Following the tragedy, a company spokesperson expressed condolences, stating, «Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with the guest’s family, friends, and loved ones.» Six Flags also confirmed that assistance was being provided to affected guests and employees.

The victim was identified as Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, a 42-year-old father from Atlanta who was reportedly riding Goliath alongside his son. Witnesses described seeing a man fall from the attraction and strike parts of its structure. His wife and daughter were reportedly elsewhere in the park when the incident occurred shortly before 4 p.m.

Opened in 2006, Goliath is among the Georgia park’s largest attractions, standing approximately 200 feet tall and reaching speeds of up to 70 miles per hour. Its three-and-a-half-minute course features steep drops and high-speed turns. Authorities have not established whether a mechanical failure, restraint malfunction or another factor contributed to the man’s death.

Following the incident, Six Flags suspended operations on nine similar roller coasters across six parks, explaining that the closures were implemented «out of an abundance of caution.» Affected attractions reportedly included Nitro at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey, Raging Bull at Six Flags Great America in Illinois and Goliath at Six Flags Magic Mountain in California.

The Cobb County Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit is investigating the circumstances surrounding the death, while Six Flags has pledged cooperation with authorities. Officials have not publicly established what caused the tragedy or clarified the severity of the other reported injuries. The precautionary closures have also raised questions about ride inspections, restraint systems and operational safety procedures.

The Georgia tragedy occurred less than two weeks after Six Flags Magic Mountain announced the permanent retirement of X2 on September 29, 2026. Famous for its rotating seats, steep drops and speeds approaching 76 miles per hour, the California attraction had already suspended operations in July following allegations that passengers suffered devastating neurological injuries.

Six Flags Magic Mountain president Brian Oerding explained the decision in an official statement. «While X2 consistently passed a multitude of safety tests, we have decided to close the ride because we believe it’s the right thing to do.» He added, «Ride safety is a cornerstone of our business, and when we see guest confidence affected, we take it seriously.»

The X2 controversy intensified after two women reportedly required emergency brain surgery following separate rides in July 2026. One victim, Naomi Greer-Wilkinson, allegedly suffered catastrophic bleeding in her brain, leaving her in a vegetative state. The incidents prompted serious questions about the forces experienced by passengers and whether existing safety inspections adequately addressed neurological injury risks.

Attorneys representing injured passengers announced three negligence lawsuits in September, reporting that more than 100 individuals had contacted their offices alleging injuries associated with X2. The controversy also revived attention surrounding Christopher Hawley, 22, who died after riding the attraction in 2022. His family’s wrongful-death lawsuit was subsequently settled without a public finding of negligence.

Although the Goliath tragedy and X2 lawsuits involve different attractions and circumstances, their proximity has intensified scrutiny of Six Flags’ safety practices. The company maintains that X2 repeatedly passed safety inspections, while authorities have yet to determine the cause of the Georgia fatality. With nine roller coasters temporarily closed, questions surrounding inspections, accountability and reopening decisions remain unresolved.