ATLANTA — Six Flags has been accused of failing to maintain its parks amid hundreds of injuries, according to a CNN investigation.
The investigation analyzed public and court records after Hassan Kariem died at Six Flags Over Georgia on Monday. Kariem, a 42-year-old husband, father and teacher, fell from the Goliath roller coaster. Four kids were also hurt.
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Six Flags temporarily closed rides in seven states, including Goliath at Six Flags Magic Mountain in California.
A CNN investigation earlier this summer found multiple issues with another popular ride: The X2, which is also at Six Flags Magic Mountain. The roller coaster had been linked to more than a dozen serious brain injuries, hospitalizations and deaths, CNN reports.
Six Flags announced in September it was going to permanently close the ride.
“While X2 consistently passed a multitude of safety tests, we have decided to close the ride because we believe it’s the right thing to do. Ride safety is a cornerstone of our business, and when we see guest confidence affected, we take it seriously,” Six Flags Magic Mountain’s Brian Oerdingn said in a statement.
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CNN reports that safety records for more than a dozen parks reveal maintenance issues such as a train derailment, faulty restraint bars and guest injuries over the last five years.
Over 10 years ago, a woman at Six Flags Texas died after she was ejected from the Texas Giant roller coaster.
In a statement to CNN, Six Flags said it was “committed to rigorous ride inspection, maintenance and safety procedures that meet or exceed industry standards.”
On Thursday, Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner’s Office said it last inspected Goliath at Six Flags Over Georgia on March 16, 2026. The inspection found “no violations, deficiencies, citations, or red tags.”
Six Flags Over Georgia says it will reopen on Friday. Goliath will remain closed until further notice as the Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner’s Office completes its investigation.
“Under Georgia’s amusement ride safety regulations, any ride involved in an accident resulting in a fatality or serious injury must remain out of service until OCI has conducted a full investigation. The Department will determine when, and under what conditions, the ride may be permitted to resume operation,” according to an office statement.
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