Six Flags Installs Seat Belts on Goliath After Fatal Fall
Six Flags Entertainment Corp. announced on Oct. 23 that it will install seat belts on the Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia and on other rides with similar restraints following the death of a 42-year-old park visitor. Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, an employee at Wesley International Academy in the Atlanta Public Schools district, was ejected from the ride and fell to his death on Oct. 12 while riding next to his 13-year-old niece, according to family members and police reports.
I know trust is earned through actions and not words,
Six Flags President and CEO John Reilly said in a statement released by the company. 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 closes nine rides for safety reviews
Following the October 12 incident, Goliath remains closed alongside eight additional rides at five other parks out of an abundance of caution,
according to Six Flags. The temporarily shuttered attractions include 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, and Orion and Diamondback at Kings Island. More than 220 other roller coasters across the company’s portfolio remain in operation.
Six Flags stated that it has engaged independent engineers and ride inspection specialists to conduct a comprehensive audit of safety procedures across all parks. The company also pledged to reinforce its multistage training program for ride operators, which encompasses classroom instruction, hands-on drills, and supervised on-the-job experience.
Cobb County Police Department previously confirmed that four children sustained non-life-threatening injuries during the incident and were transported to hospitals via ambulance after witnesses reported that Kariem’s body struck other riders before landing on the roof of a haunted house attraction below.
Goliath passed inspections despite identified structural issues
Records from the Georgia Office of Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire show that the Goliath roller coaster repeatedly passed annual inspections between 2014 and 2026. Inspectors identified issues ranging from corrosion and worn drive wheels to problems with structural supports and foundations during that span. An inspection in March 2026 resulted in a passing grade, though an inspector noted that specialized mechanical bearings used to absorb shock, known as bushings, needed replacement.
The fatal accident is not the first time Six Flags’ roller coasters made headlines. In September, Six Flags was sued by riders who alleged they suffered brain injuries on the X2 roller coaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Southern California, a ride featuring 360-degree rotating seats and a 215-foot drop.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Six Flags Safety Update
When did the fatal incident on Goliath occur?
Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem fell to his death from the Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia on Oct. 12.
Which rides are currently closed for safety reviews?
Six Flags temporarily closed nine specific roller coasters across six parks, including Goliath at Six Flags Over Georgia, Diamondback and Orion at Kings Island, and Fury 325 at Carowinds.
What specific mechanical modifications are being made?
Six Flags announced it is adding seat belts to Goliath and other roller coasters that feature similar restraint systems to enhance passenger safety.
Who is conducting the portfolio-wide safety audit?
The theme park operator has hired independent engineers and specialized ride inspection personnel to review safety procedures across all properties.
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