The candidates running for governor of Georgia responded Tuesday to the deadly Six Flags Over Georgia roller coaster mishap that killed a 42-year-old man on Monday.
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Former Atlanta mayor and current Democratic candidate for governor Keisha Lance Bottoms expressed her condolences to the family of Hassan Kariem during an appearance on CNN.
“By all accounts, he was a beloved educator and father. I can’t imagine. My first job was actually at Six Flags. ... People across the country, when they go to an amusement park, it’s supposed to be about fun and enjoyment. ... I can say that, you know, there has to be answers to this as to how a man, a 42-year-old man can be thrown from a roller coaster.”
In a statement to Channel 2 Action News, the campaign for Rick Jackson, the Republican candidate for governor of Georgia, also extended condolences:
“A life committed to raising up the next generation of leaders was devastatingly cut short and I join Georgians in expressing my deepest condolences. As authorities investigate what caused this tragedy, I am keeping the Kariem family in my thoughts and prayers as they navigate this incredibly difficult time.”
Tuesday was also the first day of early voting.
The state will play a big role in the quest for answers for what happened on the roller coaster.
Channel 2 investigative reporter Ashli Lincoln reports that investigators with the Georgia Office of Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire are working to determine whether the incident involved a mechanical malfunction, a failure of the ride’s restraint system, operator error or another cause.
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