Six Flags is making changes to its roller coaster safety measures following a fatal accident at its Georgia theme park. The company plans to add seat belts to Goliath at Six Flags Over Georgia and other roller coasters with similar restraint systems.
The announcement comes after 42-year-old Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem died on October 12. Authorities say he was ejected from his seat on Goliath during the ride. The incident also left other riders injured.
The investigation remains ongoing, and officials have not determined what caused the accident.
Six Flags Announces New Roller Coaster Safety Measures
Six Flags CEO John Reilly says the company is taking additional steps to improve ride safety. These measures include installing seat belts on Goliath and other coasters with similar restraints.
The company is also bringing in independent engineers and ride inspection specialists. They will review safety procedures across its theme parks.
“What happened has deeply affected all of us at Six Flags. Safety has always been fundamental to the experience we provide for our guests,” said Reilly. “As CEO of Six Flags, I take that responsibility personally. We will continue to communicate about our progress and hold ourselves accountable to our commitments to you.”
Goliath remains closed while officials investigate the incident and complete the necessary safety reviews. Six Flags has also temporarily closed eight additional roller coasters across five other parks in the United States and Canada.
The affected rides share a similar restraint design. The company has not yet announced when those attractions will reopen or confirmed every coaster that will receive the new seat belts.
What Happened on the Goliath Roller Coaster?
The accident occurred on October 12 at Six Flags Over Georgia near Atlanta. Kariem, 42, died after being ejected from Goliath, a roller coaster known for its towering drops and high speeds.
The attraction reaches approximately 200 feet in height and speeds of up to 70 mph. Its existing restraint system uses a padded lap bar rather than an over-the-shoulder harness.
Witnesses reported seeing Kariem rise from his seat before falling back into the coaster car and being ejected. Other riders also suffered injuries.
Authorities have not confirmed what caused the incident. The investigation includes an examination of the ride, its operation, and relevant safety records.
Which Other Six Flags Roller Coasters Are Affected?
Following the accident, Six Flags temporarily took several similar roller coasters out of service as a precaution.
The affected attractions span parks in multiple locations, including Illinois, New Jersey, Ohio, North Carolina, and Ontario, Canada.
All nine coasters initially taken offline, including Goliath, were manufactured by Swiss company Bolliger & Mabillard and use similar restraint systems.
Six Flags has not announced a reopening timeline for the remaining closed rides. The company says it will evaluate the findings from its safety reviews before determining the next steps.
For now, the additional seat belts represent one of the company’s planned changes as the investigation continues.
The incident also puts amusement park safety in the spotlight, with Six Flags emphasizing its commitment to reviewing ride operations and strengthening safety procedures across its parks.
