Business · Companies · 57 mins ago
Six Flags to add seat belts to Goliath after fatal fall
A 42-year-old man died after being ejected from the Goliath rollercoaster at Six Flags Over Georgia on 12 October.
Six Flags says it will add seat belts to Goliath and similar rides, which currently use lap-bar restraints.
The company has not said exactly which other coasters will get the upgrade.
Goliath and eight other Six Flags coasters remain closed at parks in the United States and Canada while officials investigate.
Investigators have not said what went wrong, and Six Flags has hired independent experts to review safety procedures across its parks.
The company says it will act on the experts’ findings and share updates, but it has not given a reopening date for the closed rides.
Six Flags will add seat belts to its Goliath roller coaster in Georgia and other coasters with similar restraints after a rider died on the ride.
Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, 42, was ejected from Goliath at Six Flags Over Georgia on October 12.
The ride remains closed while state and local officials investigate his death.
Eight other coasters at Six Flags parks in the United States and Canada have also been temporarily closed.
Six Flags has commissioned independent experts to review safety procedures across its parks.
- Who
- Six Flags announced the changes. The rider who died was Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, 42.
- What
- The company will add seat belts to Goliath and coasters with similar restraints.
- When
- The announcement was made on Friday, October 23. Kariem died on October 12.
- Where
- Goliath is at Six Flags Over Georgia in Georgia, United States.
- Why
- The changes follow Kariem’s death after he was ejected from the ride. Authorities are investigating the incident.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem died after being ejected from Goliath at Six Flags Over Georgia.
Six Flags temporarily closed Goliath and eight other coasters at five parks.
Six Flags announced plans to add seat belts to Goliath and coasters with similar restraints.
- Rider who died
- Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, 42
- Date of death
- October 12, 2026
- Ride
- Goliath at Six Flags Over Georgia
- Additional closures
- Eight other coasters at five parks
- Safety review
- Independent engineers and ride inspection specialists will review procedures across Six Flags parks
4 sources
Six Flags to reopen Goliath rollercoaster – but now with seatbelts after recent rider death
Six Flags to Add Seatbelts on Roller Coasters After Rider’s Death
Six Flags to install seat belts on Georgia roller coaster after rider's death
Six Flags adding seat belts to Goliath rollercoaster following death
What people are saying
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
Our hearts remain with the family and loved ones of Hassan Kariem, those injured, and everyone impacted by the tragic incident
I know trust is earned through actions and not words