Six Flags announced plans to install supplemental seat belts on the Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia and similar rides across its park network. This decision follows a fatal accident earlier this month. Six Flags President and CEO John Reilly outlined these safety updates in a statement issued on October 23, 2026. Meanwhile, independent investigations into the incident remain ongoing.
The tragedy occurred on October 12, 2026. Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, a 42-year-old resident of Atlanta, was ejected from his seat mid-ride on Goliath. Preliminary reports from the Cobb County Police Department indicate the incident happened at approximately 4:00 p.m. Kariem struck other riders before falling beneath the structure. Four juvenile riders also sustained reported injuries during the accident.
Independent Safety Reviews and Ride Closures
Following the incident, Goliath and eight other roller coasters remain temporarily closed. These rides feature similar restraint configurations and are located across five different parks. They will stay closed pending thorough safety inspections. Six Flags has hired independent engineers and ride inspection specialists. These experts will conduct a comprehensive audit of safety procedures, operational protocols, and employee training programs across all company theme parks.
Georgia authorities have not yet determined an official cause for the ejection. However, Six Flags leadership emphasized that the decision to add supplemental restraints does not mean the original restraint system malfunctioned.
Impacted Coasters and Restraint Systems
Goliath uses individual, padded clamshell lap bars designed by Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M), a Swiss manufacturer. These U-shaped hydraulic restraints secure riders across the thighs and waist. They do not include standard over-the-shoulder harnesses or seat belts.
Several similar B&M hypercoasters already feature supplemental seat belts across the industry. These include:
- Diamondback and Orion at Kings Island
- Behemoth and Leviathan at Canada’s Wonderland
- Thunder Striker and Fury 325 at Carowinds
- Candymonium at Hersheypark
The upcoming safety modification will add secondary seat belts to Goliath. Similar B&M hypercoasters within the Six Flags chain that currently lack them will also receive the belts, including Raging Bull at Six Flags Great America and Nitro at Six Flags Great Adventure.
Corporate Response and Moving Forward
Industry experts note this is the first fatal incident involving a passenger falling from a B&M manufactured roller coaster. The firm has a 36-year operational history spanning 133 global installations. This incident and the subsequent closures come during a challenging financial and transitional period for Six Flags Entertainment Corporation following its merger with Cedar Fair.
CEO John Reilly addressed public trust directly in his safety message to guests and passholders:
“I know trust is earned through actions and not words. As CEO of Six Flags, I take that responsibility personally. We will continue to communicate about our progress and hold ourselves accountable to our commitments to you.”
Six Flags confirmed that its theme parks will keep normal operating schedules throughout Halloween weekend. More than 220 roller coasters will remain open across company destinations while targeted reviews continue.
