Six Flags Adds Seat Belts After Fatal Rollercoaster Ejection

Six Flags is adding seat belts to the Goliath rollercoaster and similar attractions across its parks following the death of 42-year-old Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem. On 12 October, Kariem was ejected from the Goliath ride at Six Flags Over Georgia, an incident that also left four other passengers injured.

CEO John Reilly announced that the company is reinforcing safety measures and has hired independent engineers and ride inspection specialists to review safety procedures across all 34 North American locations. The Goliath ride and eight other attractions at five different parks remain closed pending these safety reviews.

This fatality follows a history of safety incidents at Six Flags parks. In 2022, a brain injury death at Six Flags Magic Mountain led to the closure of the X2 rollercoaster after more than 100 people reported similar injuries. Other previous incidents include a 2011 ejection in New York and a 2013 fall from a coaster in Texas.