Canada’s Wonderland has temporarily closed its Behemoth and Leviathan rollercoasters in response to a fatal incident at Six Flags Over Georgia that left one man dead and several others injured.
On Oct. 12, a 42-year-old man died after falling from the Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia, near Atlanta. Cobb County police confirmed his death and reported that several other people were injured.
The man was identified as Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem. According to a video posted on CNN News, he worked as an information technology manager, technology teacher and robotics coach at Wesley International Academy, a charter school in Atlanta.
Six Flags Over Georgia released a statement expressing condolences to Kariem’s family and loved ones.
“We are deeply saddened by the guest incident at our park today,” it said. “Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with the guest’s family, friends, and loved ones.”
Christopher Mortensen, Canada’s Wonderland Park President, also released a statement, saying, “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.”
Atlanta Public Schools District described Kariem as a valued member of the school community, saying in a statement that his “presence and impact will be deeply missed.”
According to CNN, witnesses told local news outlet WXIA that they saw him fall. Witnesses also told authorities that he struck several other people before falling beneath the ride.
“Out of an abundance of caution, we have temporarily closed similar attractions across our parks,” Grace Peacock, a spokesperson for Canada’s Wonderland, told CBC News. “The safety of our guests and team members remains one of our highest priorities.”
Peacock said there is no timeline for when these rides will reopen.
The closures are part of the communal response across parks owned by Six Flags in Canada and the United States. According to CTV News, La Ronde in Montreal also temporarily closed its Goliath roller coaster while they conduct a safety review with the ride’s manufacturer.
Other temporarily closed attractions following the Georgia incident include Fury 325 and Thunder Striker at Carowinds in North Carolina; Orion and Diamondback at Kings Island in Ohio; and Nitro at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey.
The incident has raised questions about the ride’s safety restraints. According to CTV News, the Goliath uses a single over-the-shoulder, clamshell-style restraint without a secondary safety belt.
“When I think back to years gone by, a lot of coasters did have sort of a double-safety system,” Doug Perovic, a forensic engineer and professor at the University of Toronto told CTV.
He added that some secondary restraints have been removed to enhance the ride experience and allow passengers to board and exit more quickly.
However, in terms of the Behemoth and Leviathan at Canada’s Wonderland, they both have backup lap belts that were added after the rides were installed.
The Goliath in Georgia doesn’t have the same safety straps as the Canadian rides; however, this did not cause Kariem’s incident, as the cause of the incident has not been confirmed and the investigation is still ongoing.
The Cobb County Police Department is leading the investigation, with Georgia’s Office of the Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire also examining the incident. Investigators are currently in the process of reviewing the ride, its operation and maintenance records, and other evidence to determine what happened and whether state safety requirements were followed.
“We are proud to work alongside our local law enforcement and public safety partners in Cobb County,” said Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John F. King in an official statement by the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance and Safety. “Each agency has an important responsibility, and we are committed to working cooperatively to ensure that this tragedy receives the thorough attention it demands.”
Meanwhile, Canada’s Wonderland has not announced when Behemoth or Leviathan will reopen.
“We appreciate the patience, understanding and support of our guests and communities during this difficult time.” President Mortensen said in his official statement. “We remain committed to providing safe, fun and memorable experiences for everyone who visits our park.”