Six Flags has temporarily closed nine roller coasters across North America following a fatal incident involving Goliath at Six Flags Over Georgia.
Police have identified the guest who died as 42-year-old Atlanta resident Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem.
Preliminary interviews with witnesses and park employees indicate that Kariem was ejected from the roller coaster, struck other guests and fell beneath the attraction.
Investigators have not yet established why the ejection occurred, and there has been no confirmed finding of a mechanical failure, restraint problem or operational error.
Guest identified following fatal Goliath incident
The incident happened on Monday afternoon at Six Flags Over Georgia near Atlanta.
Cobb County Police said officers working at the park responded at approximately 3:58pm and found Kariem beneath the attraction, unresponsive and not breathing.
The area was secured and the department's Major Crimes Unit began an investigation.
Police say preliminary interviews with witnesses and Six Flags employees indicate that Kariem was ejected from the coaster, struck other patrons and then fell beneath the ride.
Four other people were also reported injured. Details about their conditions have not been released publicly.
Goliath evacuated following the incident
Goliath stopped during operation following the incident, with footage showing passengers stranded on the attraction before being evacuated by park staff and emergency crews.
The steel hypercoaster opened at Six Flags Over Georgia in 2006 and reaches a height of 200 feet and speeds of around 70 mph.
It was manufactured by Swiss roller coaster company Bolliger & Mabillard.
The manufacturer is now involved in the investigation alongside Six Flags, local law enforcement and Georgia state ride safety officials.
State inspectors examine ride equipment and data
Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John King has confirmed that state inspectors are examining equipment at Six Flags Over Georgia and coordinating with park leadership.
Investigators are expected to examine areas including the ride's restraint system, maintenance records and electronic data as they work to establish how the ejection occurred.
Bolliger & Mabillard is also participating in the investigation.
At this stage, none of those areas has been identified as the cause of the incident.
Nine similar roller coasters temporarily closed
Following the fatal incident, Six Flags temporarily closed nine similar roller coasters at parks across North America.
The company said the closures were made "out of an abundance of caution".
Reported closures include Raging Bull at Six Flags Great America in Illinois, Nitro at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey and Goliath at Six Flags Magic Mountain in California.
Similar attractions have also been closed at Kings Island in Ohio, Carowinds in North Carolina and Canada's Wonderland in Ontario.
Six Flags has not announced how long the precautionary closures will remain in place.
Six Flags issues statement
Six Flags said it was deeply saddened by the incident and offered condolences to Kariem's family, friends and loved ones.
The company said park staff and local authorities responded immediately and that it is cooperating fully with the investigation.
Support is also being provided to guests and team members affected by the incident.
Six Flags has described the wider ride closures as precautionary and has not said that a common fault has been identified across the affected attractions.
Cause of the ejection remains unknown
While police now say preliminary evidence indicates Kariem was ejected from Goliath, investigators have not explained why he left the ride.
There has been no confirmed finding of a restraint failure, mechanical fault, maintenance issue or operator error.
Witness accounts have raised questions about the ride's restraints, but those accounts do not establish the cause of the incident and remain part of the wider investigation.
Authorities are continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding the fatality before reaching any conclusions.
Investigation remains ongoing
The Cobb County Police Department's Major Crimes Unit, Georgia state inspectors, Six Flags and Bolliger & Mabillard are now involved in examining what happened.
No reopening date has been announced for Goliath or the other roller coasters temporarily closed following the incident.
Further information is expected as investigators analyse the ride, its records and evidence gathered from witnesses and employees.
ThrillSense will continue to update this story if authorities or Six Flags release significant new information.
