Six Flags will add seat belts to Goliath and other roller coasters with similar restraints after the death of a man who fell from the ride at Six Flags Over Georgia earlier this month.
The company’s CEO said in a statement Friday that Goliath remains closed pending safety reviews and approvals following the death of Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, a 42-year-old Atlanta resident and “cherished member” of a public charter school, who fell from a roller coaster on Oct. 12. Several other park visitors were injured, including four minors, police said.
In a statement to guests and passholders, Six Flags Chairman and CEO John Reilly said the company is increasing safety precautions at its parks, including installing seat belts on the Goliath, and has hired independent engineers and ride inspection specialists to review safety procedures at its attractions.
Goliath, a 3.5-minute ride reaching 70 mph and a height of 200 feet, features a waist restraint but does not have an over-the-shoulder harness. The addition of seat belts marks a significant change to the ride’s restraint system as investigators continue to examine what happened.
“Security has always been fundamental to the experience we provide to our customers,” Reilly said, adding that the company is committed to evaluating the results and taking appropriate action.
“Safety also depends on the dedicated teams who operate and maintain our attractions every day. Our ride operators complete a comprehensive, multi-stage training program that includes classroom instruction, hands-on training and supervised work experience, with additional instruction and assessment provided as necessary,” he continued.
Goliath and eight other rides at five additional Six Flags parks remain temporarily closed out of an abundance of caution, according to the company. Six Flags said its parks remain open, with more than 220 roller coasters operating across its properties.
Where is the investigation?
Preliminary information gathered at the scene from witnesses and employees indicated that Kariem was ejected from the ride, the Cobb County Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit said. He struck other passengers before falling under the roller coaster, where he was found “unconscious and not breathing,” police said in a statement.
One witness, CiCi Nelson, told CNN she was waiting in line to ride Goliath when a cart pulled up with an empty seat and other hysterical passengers.
She said the safety bar on the empty seat appeared loose and another young passenger appeared covered in blood and injured. Emergency personnel quickly arrived and she and others were asked to evacuate the area.
The announcement of the new seat belt installations follows the reopening of Six Flags Over Georgia last Friday, when guests returned for the park’s annual Halloween Fright Fest events. Goliath remained closed as families entered the park, and authorities made no new findings about the deadly incident.
Georgia authorities are investigating the death, reviewing evidence, equipment and documentation to determine whether state safety requirements were met, according to a statement last week from Georgia Insurance and Fire Safety Commissioner John King. Cobb County police are assisting state and park officials.
CNN reached out to Cobb County, the Cobb County Police Department and the Georgia Bureau of Insurance and Fire Safety for an update on the investigation into Kariem’s death and comment on Six Flags’ plans to add seat belts to the Goliath and other roller coasters.
As the investigation continues, CNN’s analysis revealed alleged maintenance issues and guest injuries at several Six Flags parks.
CNN’s review of safety records from 2016 to 2026 found that Goliath appeared to have passed annual state safety inspections. The coaster’s most recent inspection, on March 16, reported no violations, deficiencies, citations or red tags, according to King. A separate inspection report earlier this year noted that the bushings, which are components that help reduce vibration, on the roller coaster needed to be replaced, according to CNN affiliate WSB.
“I know that trust is earned through actions, not words,” Reilly said. “As CEO of Six Flags, I take this responsibility personally.”
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