Following a fatal accident earlier this month, Six Flags announced new safety measures that will include installing seat belts on a prominent Georgia roller coaster. The updates come in response to an incident on October 12 at Six Flags Over Georgia, located outside Atlanta.
The tragedy claimed the life of 42-year-old Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, an Atlanta resident who worked at Wesley International Academy in the Atlanta Public Schools district. Witnesses reported that Kariem was ejected from the Goliath roller coaster and struck other people on the ride before landing on the roof of a haunted house attraction below. Police stated that several other parkgoers, including four minors, were injured during the incident.
Safety Updates and Ride Closures
In a statement issued on Friday, Six Flags President and CEO John Reilly announced that the company is reinforcing safety precautions across its parks. As part of these measures, seat belts will be added to Goliath and other roller coasters with similar restraints.
“I know trust is earned through actions and not words. As CEO of Six Flags, I take that responsibility personally,” Reilly said in the statement. “We will continue to communicate about our progress and hold ourselves accountable to our commitments to you.”
Goliath remains closed pending comprehensive safety reviews and official clearances. In addition to the Georgia attraction, several other rides across multiple parks were temporarily shut down out of an abundance of caution. A company spokesperson previously identified several affected coasters across various locations, including:
- Raging Bull at Six Flags Great America
- Goliath at Six Flags Magic Mountain
- Nitro at Six Flags Great Adventure
- Leviathan and Behemoth at Canada’s Wonderland
- Fury 325 and Thunder Striker at Carowinds
- Orion and Diamondback at Kings Island
Despite these closures, Six Flags noted that more than 220 of the company's roller coasters remain in operation.
Independent Engineering Reviews
To address ongoing safety concerns, Six Flags has engaged independent engineers and ride inspection specialists to conduct a thorough review of current safety procedures across its entire portfolio of rides and attractions.
State inspection records for Goliath showed that its most recent state safety inspection on March 16 reported no violations, deficiencies, citations, or red tags. However, a separate inspection report earlier in the year indicated that bushings—components designed to help reduce vibration—needed replacement.
The October incident follows other recent scrutiny for the theme park operator. In September, Six Flags faced a lawsuit from riders alleging they suffered brain injuries on the X2 roller coaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Southern California, a ride known for its 360-degree rotating seats and sudden drops.
