Six Flags to Add Seat Belts to Goliath Roller Coaster After Father’s Fatal Fall
Six Flags to Add Seat Belts to Goliath Roller Coaster After Father’s Fatal Fall
Six Flags has announced new safety measures for its Goliath roller coaster in Georgia following the death of a 42-year-old man who was thrown from the ride earlier this month.
Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, an Atlanta resident who worked in education and technology, died on October 12 while riding Goliath at Six Flags Over Georgia in Austell. He was visiting the amusement park with family members to celebrate his niece’s birthday, according to reports.
Police said Kariem was ejected from the roller coaster and struck other riders before falling beneath the attraction. Several other visitors, including four children, were injured in the incident. Their injuries were reported to be non-life-threatening.
Witnesses described seeing Kariem rise from his seat before falling back into the ride car and being thrown from the attraction. However, investigators have not yet determined what caused the fatal incident.
On October 23, Six Flags President and CEO John Reilly announced that the company would add seat belts to Goliath and other roller coasters with similar restraint systems. The company also said it had hired independent engineers and ride inspection specialists to review safety procedures across its parks.
Goliath uses a padded lap-bar restraint rather than an over-the-shoulder harness. The ride remains closed while safety reviews and investigations continue, and officials have not announced a reopening date.
Eight additional roller coasters at five other parks have also been temporarily closed as a precaution. The affected attractions share similar restraint systems, and the company has not provided a definitive timeline for their reopening.
Georgia authorities are examining the circumstances surrounding Kariem’s death, including the ride’s equipment, operation and inspection records. Officials have not announced a final conclusion about what went wrong.
The new safety measures come as Kariem’s family mourns his loss and investigators work to establish exactly how the tragedy occurred.
Source: dailymail
