AI-generated illustration; not a photograph of the reported event.
- calendar_today October 14, 2026
Tuscaloosa Family’s Visit Turns Tragic at Six Flags Over Georgia
A weekend trip to Six Flags Over Georgia for one Tuscaloosa family took a traumatic turn when a man was killed after being ejected from the Goliath roller coaster, just after their children had ridden the attraction.
Family Reflects on the Day’s Events
Alana Thomas, accompanied by her three children and sister-in-law, Brooke Foster, visited the theme park for what was supposed to be a fun getaway. The group began their day with several rides intended for younger kids before her older children decided to board the park’s major thrill ride, the Goliath roller coaster.
Ride Closure and Safety Concerns
Thomas recalled that park workers initially closed the Goliath, citing the need to spray for wasps. She witnessed an employee applying what appeared to be insect spray to the roller coaster, but about thirty minutes later, the ride reopened and her children and Foster were allowed on. According to Foster, the ride’s safety restraints left her uneasy.
"It didn’t feel as secure as the other ones we rode on," Foster remarked. She explained that Goliath’s restraint system consisted of only a single latch device, without an over-the-shoulder harness or a lap belt—just a plastic shell over the waist. Concerned, she checked the restraint multiple times before the ride began.
Fatal Incident on the Goliath Roller Coaster
Shortly after Foster and the children had safely completed their ride, tragedy struck. Cobb County Police reported that 42-year-old Hassan Jihad Kariem was ejected from the Goliath roller coaster, reportedly striking other riders before falling beneath the attraction. Foster expressed shock over the timing, saying, "It’s just such a shock, because I was just on the ride." The incident deeply affected both the Thomas and Foster families, leaving them shaken.
"I will never – me nor my children – if I can ever help it, will ever be back to an amusement park ever again after that," Thomas said, underscoring the trauma experienced by her family.
Chaotic Evacuation and Communication Issues
In the aftermath of the roller coaster incident, Thomas and Foster described confusion in the park. They recalled park employees shouting instructions for guests to leave, but there was no formal evacuation order issued over the public address system. "Everyone was running, it was like we were being stampeded," Thomas said. The lack of clear direction left guests making their own way to the exits amid uncertainty.
Foster remarked, "I feel like that’s something they could definitely work on," referring both to communication during the ride evacuation and safety measures on the Goliath roller coaster.
Concerns Over Amusement Park and Roller Coaster Safety
The family expressed their hope that extra precautions would be taken moving forward. Foster specifically mentioned adding lap bands to the Goliath ride, stating, "I hope they shut that ride down, or put the lap bands on as an extra precaution." The incident has led the family to reconsider their views on amusement park safety and roller coaster restraints, as well as the policies for responding to ride accidents and theme park emergencies.
Source: whnt.com.
