Man Thrown From Six Flags Goliath Coaster, Striking Patrons Before Falling to Death A 42-year-old man was killed after being thrown from the Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia and striking other patrons before falling to the ground below, prompting Six Flags to close nine similar coasters across North America. A 42-year-old man killed while riding the Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia was thrown from his seat and struck other patrons before landing below the ride, police said Tuesday. The incident at the theme park in Austell, Georgia, occurred Monday afternoon. One person died and several other people were injured, officials said. The man who died was identified as Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, according to Cobb County police. Officials have not released any other information about those who were struck and injured.Park Temporarily Closes Similar Roller Coasters NationwideThe park was already scheduled to be closed Tuesday. Visitors at the theme park near Atlanta described watching the man being tossed from the coaster train and falling to his death Monday. The death caused the theme park operator to temporarily close nine similar roller coasters nationwide. Investigators said they spoke with park visitors and employees who saw what happened.One of Goliath's other trains remained on its track Tuesday, seemingly where it stopped after the incident as it was climbing the ride's first hill. Logan Conner said he was on Goliath with his fiancee when he saw the man come out of his seat. He told NBC that the man started levitating in the air sideways. Conner said they made direct eye contact with him.Britny Landry had been on the ride earlier Monday and was waiting in line to go again. She told KTVU-TV that they just looked and she saw somebody fly out. She said she was not sure at first what she saw, wondering if maybe somebody had a bag or something. Lisa Cupid, chairwoman of the Cobb County Board of Commissioners, said the man's next of kin have been notified.Six Flags Shuts Down Rides At Six Theme ParksShe said she cannot imagine the horror the patrons and employees witnessed, and her heart aches for the family who lost a loved one. Cupid added that everyone is grappling with how something so devastating could happen at a place that has given generations of families such happy memories. Six Flags said in a statement that it has temporarily shut down nine similar roller coasters at six of its theme parks in the U.S. and Canada.Those parks were already scheduled for seasonal midweek closures on Tuesday and Wednesday. The affected rides include a second coaster named Goliath at Six Flags Magic Mountain in California and Raging Bull at Six Flags Great America in Illinois. Nitro at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey was also closed, along with the coasters Fury 325 and Thunder Striker at Carowinds in North Carolina, and Leviathan and Behemoth at Canada's Wonderland in Ontario, Canada.Six Flags Entertainment did not immediately respond Tuesday to emailed questions seeking more information on why those specific rides were shut down and what would be done before they reopen. Georgia's Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner, which oversees ride inspections, is conducting an in-depth and comprehensive review, said Garrison Bennett, a spokesperson for the office. Goliath, which opened in 2006, reaches a top speed of 113 km/h with a height of 61 metres, according to the park's website.The park in suburban Atlanta, about 24 kilometres northwest of the city, opened in 1967. The website says riders navigate through razor-sharp turns and soar over colossal hills during the more than 3-minute ride. The death is at least the seventh at the Georgia park since 1989, according to the Doan Law Firm, which tallies amusement park accidents and represents victims.Amusement Park Safety Record Raises ConcernsThat toll includes two people who were in restricted areas and struck by roller coasters and two who died in auto accidents. In 2006, a man died after likely having a heart attack on the Goliath coaster, the law firm said. The latest death comes less than two weeks after Six Flags Magic Mountain in Southern California announced the retirement of its X2 roller coaster following lawsuits alleging riders suffered serious brain injuries.The park settled one wrongful-death lawsuit with the family of a 22-year-old man who died after riding the coaster in 2022. Last year, a 32-year-old man died from blunt impact injuries after riding a high-speed roller coaster at the Universal Epic Universe theme park in Florida. His death was ruled accidental. By Mike Stewart and Kate Brumback.Brumback reported from Atlanta. Associated Press writers Russ Bynum in Savannah, Georgia; Hallie Golden in Seattle; Kathy McCormack in Concord, New Hampshire; and John Seewer in Toledo, Ohio, contributed.