Six Flags to install seatbelts on Goliath after rider's fatal fall

A 165-foot drop sent a rollercoaster into motion, but it was the 180-foot plunge that followed which proved fatal for one rider. Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, 42, was ejected from his seat during a ride on Goliath at Six Flags Over Georgia. He fell and struck the other cars on the track. His death has forced the company to rethink how it keeps riders safe on this specific type of attraction.

Kariem was a father and an educator. The incident occurred earlier this month. The coaster uses a lap bar that locks across the waist. This design is produced by the manufacturer Bolliger & Mabillard. It does not use a traditional seatbelt. The company has decided to change this approach for Goliath.

Six Flags announced that it will fit seatbelts on the Goliath coaster. This is a direct response to the fatal fall. The company is not stopping there. Chief Executive John Reilly stated that seatbelts will also be installed on other coasters. These other rides use a similar restraint system. Reilly did not specify exactly which parks or rides are included in this expansion. The decision aims to address the specific safety gap highlighted by the accident in Georgia.

The temporary shutdown of Goliath is part of a broader pause. Eight other rides at five different parks are also closed. This move follows the fatal incident and the opening of an investigation by Georgia authorities. The state is looking into the circumstances of Kariem's death. The company says it is taking these steps while the investigation is ongoing.

Reilly addressed the public on Friday. He wrote that the event has deeply affected everyone at Six Flags. He emphasized that safety is fundamental to the guest experience. He acknowledged that trust is earned through actions rather than words. The company plans to continue communicating its progress. It intends to hold itself accountable to its commitments to riders.

The park has also brought in an independent review. This review covers the safety procedures for all attractions at the Georgia location. This step is separate from the hardware changes to the coasters. It represents a broader audit of how the park operates and maintains its rides. The goal is to identify any other potential issues in the safety protocols.

This incident occurs at a time of heightened scrutiny for the company. Six Flags is currently facing a lawsuit related to its X2 ride at Magic Mountain. A group of former riders has filed the suit. They allege they suffered brain injuries on the coaster. The plaintiffs accuse the park of operating a defective ride. They also claim negligence for keeping the attraction open despite the alleged issues.

A recent investigation by CNN found a long record of brain injuries linked to the X2 coaster. The report noted at least two deaths connected to that ride. These events have drawn public attention to the safety of high-intensity coasters. The legal battle over X2 adds pressure on Six Flags to demonstrate robust safety standards across its network.

In response to the ongoing issues with X2, Six Flags took a significant step. The company permanently closed the X2 coaster in September. This decision came before the Goliath incident in Georgia. The closure of X2 shows the company is willing to take major actions when safety concerns arise. The upcoming changes to Goliath and other similar rides are part of this broader effort to address rider safety.

The situation remains under investigation. Georgia authorities are gathering details about the fatal fall. The company is moving forward with the planned installation of seatbelts. Riders will see these new restraints in the near future. The independent review of safety procedures is also underway. Six Flags says it will keep the public informed as it works through these changes.