Six Flags adding seatbelts to Goliath rollercoaster following death

October 24, 2026

Six Flags announced it will install seatbelts on its Goliath rollercoaster and similar rides following a fatal incident at its Georgia location in October 2026, where a 42-year-old man was ejected from the ride and killed. The company's CEO revealed that nine rides across six parks will be temporarily closed while independent safety experts conduct comprehensive reviews of procedures at all 34 North American locations. This tragedy marks the latest in a series of serious incidents at Six Flags parks, including previous fatalities in 2011, 2013, and 2022.

Who is affected

Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem (42-year-old man who was killed)
Four passengers who were injured when the victim fell
The family and loved ones of Hassan Kariem
Visitors to Six Flags parks (28 million guests annually)
Riders of the nine closed attractions across six Six Flags locations
Six Flags employees and management
Independent engineers and ride inspection specialists hired for safety reviews

What action is being taken

Adding seatbelts to Goliath and similar rides that currently have lap bar restraints
Keeping the Georgia Goliath ride closed pending safety reviews
Keeping eight other rides at five other parks closed out of caution
Conducting independent safety reviews by hired engineers and ride inspection specialists across all Six Flags parks
Police investigation into the October 12 incident is ongoing

Why it matters

This incident highlights critical safety concerns at major amusement parks that serve millions of visitors annually. The addition of seatbelts and comprehensive safety reviews represents a significant shift in Six Flags' safety protocols, particularly given the company's history of multiple fatal incidents over the past 15 years. The tragedy underscores the potential catastrophic consequences when safety restraint systems fail on high-speed, high-elevation attractions, and the company's response could set industry standards for enhanced safety measures at theme parks nationwide.

What's next

Six Flags will take action based on the independent experts' findings from the safety reviews
The company will share progress updates on safety improvements with the public
The investigation into the October 12 incident will continue

Read full article from source: BBC