Six Flags shares dropped more than 16% Tuesday after a man was killed after plunging from Georgia’s tallest roller coaster and several other passengers were injured in a horrific incident.
The stock slumped to $9.98 a share – its lowest level this year and on track for its worst closing price since 2009 – as Six Flags temporarily shuttered nine coasters across six of its parks following the tragedy.
On Monday, a parkgoer at Six Flags Over Georgia diedafter falling off the Goliath roller coaster, a 200-foot-tall ride; smashing into the coaster cars three times; and landing on the roof of a haunted house, according to local news reports.
Police on Tuesday identified the victim as Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, a 42-year-old man whose family described him as “a passionate educator,” per reports.
He was riding the 3.5 minute ride with his son on Columbus Day, a federal holiday, while his wife and daughter watched from the ground, WXIA reported, citing an eyewitness.
A horrified parkgoer told the outlet the victim “started levitating in the air sideways,” while another witness said their souvenir picture caught the man plummeting to his death.
Yet another witness said she saw “somebody fly out and just fly into the woods” from about 150 feet away, adding that she “just broke down,” according to Fox5.
“We are deeply saddened by the guest incident at our park today. Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with the guest’s family, friends, and loved ones. We are also providing support to the guests and team members affected,” a Six Flags Over Georgia spokesperson told The Post.
“The park team and local authorities responded immediately, and we are cooperating fully with local authorities as they complete their investigation. Out of respect for the family’s privacy, we will not be sharing additional details at this time.”
It is not yet known what caused the man to fall out of his seat.
The amusement park’s stock was already struggling prior to the terrifying incident, falling after its second-quarter earnings were released in August. The company is scheduled to report its third-quarter earnings on Nov. 5.
Over the past three years, Six Flags’ stock has lost two-thirds of its value, according to FactSet. Activist investor Jana Partners has been urging the company to explore a potential sale, the Wall Street Journal reported last month.
The man’s death Monday marks at least the seventh such incident at the Georgia amusement park, including one in 2006 in which a man likely had a heart attack on the same roller coaster, according to Doan Law Firm, which represents victims of amusement park accidents.
Following the shocking incident on Monday, riders were evacuated from the Goliath cars four at a time from one of the ride’s steep inclines, according to video footage online.
Goliath opened in 2006 and reaches top speeds above 70 miles per hour, making the “metal monster” a “hypercoaster” that challenges “even the bravest of the brave,” according to Six Flags’ website.
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