Canada's Wonderland Closes Two Major Roller Coasters After Rider Falls to His Death in Georgia

Leviathan and Behemoth, two popular attractions at the Vaughan amusement park, were closed on Monday, October 12, as a precaution following the death of a 42-year-old man on a similar roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia, near Atlanta.

The accident occurred Monday afternoon on the Goliath roller coaster, a ride known for its steep drops and speeds of up to 113 km/h.

According to police and witness accounts, the man, identified as Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, was thrown from his seat while the roller coaster was moving. Witnesses reported that he struck other passengers before falling onto a building below the ride.

Several other passengers were injured during the incident.

The victim, a school IT manager, was pronounced dead following the fall.

The cause of the accident remains under investigation. Authorities have not determined whether the incident was caused by a problem with the ride's safety restraints, a mechanical failure or another factor.

Goliath uses lap bars to secure passengers rather than individual seat belts. Some witnesses have raised questions about how securely the restraints were holding riders, although investigators have not established whether the restraint system contributed to the accident.

Following the tragedy, Six Flags Entertainment, which also owns Canada's Wonderland, announced the temporary closure of nine similar roller coasters across North America while safety reviews are conducted.

Among them are Leviathan and Behemoth at Canada's Wonderland, as well as attractions at several other Six Flags parks in the United States.

The Goliath roller coaster at Montreal's La Ronde amusement park has also been temporarily closed for a safety review.

In a statement, Six Flags said the closures were being made as a precaution and emphasized that guest and employee safety remains a priority.

There is currently no timeline for when Leviathan and Behemoth will reopen.

The investigation into the fatal Georgia accident is continuing, with police, state safety officials and the roller coaster's manufacturer examining what went wrong.