Six Flags will add seat belts to several roller coasters after a rider was fatally ejected from Goliath at Six Flags Over Georgia. The decision follows the death of 42-year-old Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem on October 12. Eight other Six Flags roller coasters using similar restraint systems remain closed in the United States and Canada while investigators examine the incident. The company has also hired independent engineers and inspectors to review safety procedures across its parks.
| 1) | Fatal incident at Six Flags Over Georgia |
| 2) | Seat belts planned for similar coasters |
| 3) | Nine rides remain closed during reviews |
| 4) | Restraint design and reported concerns |
| 5) | Broader closures and independent inspections |
Fatal incident at Six Flags Over Georgia
The fatal incident occurred at about 4 p.m. on October 12 at Six Flags Over Georgia. Witnesses said Kariem appeared to rise from his seat and fall headfirst back into the coaster car before being ejected. He died after the fall. The Goliath ride remains closed while state and local officials investigate what happened.
Some passengers who rode Goliath earlier that day also reported concerns about its restraints. The reports have intensified questions about how the restraint operated during the ride and whether additional safeguards could have prevented the ejection.
Seat belts planned for similar coasters
Six Flags President and CEO John Reilly confirmed the planned changes in a statement issued Friday. The company said it will add seat belts to Goliath and other coasters with similar restraint systems, although it has not identified every ride that will receive the modification.
“We are reinforcing safety precautions at our parks and taking additional measures, including adding seat belts on Goliath and other coasters with a similar restraint,” Reilly said.
The company has not announced when the modifications will be completed or when the affected rides will reopen. The added belts are intended to provide an additional layer of protection alongside the existing restraints.
Nine rides remain closed during reviews
Nine Six Flags coasters in total, including Goliath, were taken out of service. The other eight are located at parks in Illinois, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio and Ontario, Canada. All nine were manufactured by Bolliger & Mabillard and use comparable restraint systems.
The closures are precautionary as investigators and safety professionals work to determine what went wrong in Georgia. Six Flags has not provided a timetable for reopening the rides, leaving each attraction unavailable while inspections and reviews continue.
Restraint design and reported concerns
The affected coasters use a padded restraint that locks over a rider’s lap and upper legs. A bar positioned between the knees helps hold the restraint in place. The system was designed to give riders the sensation of a “flying carpet” while securing them during the ride.
A patent granted to Bolliger & Mabillard in the United States in 2001 described the design as providing strong security. The Georgia incident has prompted investigators to examine the restraint, its operation and the circumstances surrounding Kariem’s position in the car.
Broader closures and independent inspections
The incident also led to temporary action outside Six Flags. SeaWorld Orlando briefly closed its Mako roller coaster, which uses a similar restraint system, before reopening it Tuesday after a weeklong closure. A coaster at La Ronde in Montreal was also temporarily closed.
Within Six Flags, independent engineers and inspectors will review safety procedures across the company’s theme parks. The review is intended to identify any additional precautions needed as officials continue investigating the Georgia death and the company considers when the affected rides can safely return to service.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | Seat belts will be added to Goliath and other coasters with similar restraints. |
| 2 | Kariem died after being ejected from Goliath on October 12. |
| 3 | Nine Bolliger & Mabillard coasters remain closed in the United States and Canada. |
| 4 | Independent engineers and inspectors are reviewing park safety procedures. |
Summary
Six Flags is responding to a fatal Georgia coaster incident by adding seat belts to rides that use a similar lap restraint. The company has kept nine coasters closed while officials investigate and independent professionals review safety procedures. Reopening dates and the full list of rides receiving seat belts have not been announced.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Six Flags adding seat belts?
The company is adding seat belts after Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem was ejected from Goliath at Six Flags Over Georgia and died on October 12.
How many Six Flags coasters are closed?
Nine coasters, including Goliath, remain closed across the United States and Canada. All use Bolliger & Mabillard restraint systems of a similar design.
When will the rides reopen?
Six Flags has not announced reopening dates. The rides remain closed while investigators, independent engineers and inspectors review the incident and safety procedures.