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Carowinds suspends Fury 325 and Thunder Striker after fatal fall at Georgia park
Carowinds has temporarily closed two roller coasters after a rider died on a coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia, where four other people were injured. The Charlotte-area park remains open, with other rides operating.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Carowinds has temporarily closed Fury 325 and Thunder Striker following the death of a rider at Six Flags Over Georgia earlier this week.
Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, 42, fell from the Goliath roller coaster on Oct. 12, and four other people were injured. Six Flags temporarily shut nine rides across the country after the incident, including the two Carowinds coasters.
Carowinds President Bridgette Bywater said the park closed the rides because of similarities to the Georgia coaster, “out of an abundance of caution.” Carowinds remains open as scheduled, with its other rides and attractions available.
“We are deeply saddened by the recent incident at Six Flags Over Georgia,” Bywater said. She said Carowinds conducts inspections and maintenance daily, weekly, monthly and annually, and that its operating procedures meet or exceed industry standards.
Fury 325 has drawn attention during previous shutdowns. In 2023, the coaster closed for repairs after a crack was spotted on a support beam, then reopened following a final inspection. It also closed for about a week in July 2026 for repairs related to its foundation. Carowinds has not said those events are connected to the latest precautionary closures.