Cobb County police say a 42-year-old Atlanta man was ejected from a roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia and died. The Major Crimes Unit is investigating.

A 42-year-old man died after he was ejected from a roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia, the Cobb County Police Department said. Other guests were struck as he fell.

The department’s Major Crimes Unit is investigating. The park is in south Cobb County near Austell, about 13 miles south of Marietta.

What police said

The police account comes from a Cobb County Police Department release issued Tuesday, Oct. 13. It says:

  • At about 3:58 p.m., officers working at the park responded to an incident involving a male guest on a roller coaster.
  • Officers found Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem of Atlanta beneath the ride. He was unresponsive and not breathing.
  • Officers secured the scene and called in the Major Crimes Unit.
  • Witness and employee interviews indicate he was ejected from the ride and struck other patrons before falling beneath the attraction. Police described that information as preliminary.
  • His next of kin has been notified.

The department said investigators “continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident.” It did not name the ride or say how many other guests were hurt, or how badly.

The county’s statement

Lisa Cupid, chairwoman of the Cobb County Board of Commissioners, called it “a terrible tragedy” in a statement dated Monday, Oct. 12. She said one person died and others were injured. She said the county is coordinating with the park and other partners, and that law enforcement will share more details as they are verified.

What it means for you

  • If you saw what happened, the Major Crimes Unit asks you to call 770-499-3945. The case number is 26066173.
  • If you have tickets or a season pass, check with the park directly for ride closures before you go. Police have not said whether the ride is closed.
  • The investigation is open. Police have not given a cause. We will update this story when the department releases more.

For other police and fire releases from Marietta and Cobb County, see our Police and Fire log. To ask for a correction, use our contact page.