Six Flags to add seat belts to roller coasters after Georgia rider’s death

Theme park operator Six Flags is moving to install seat belts on several roller coasters across its properties after a fatal accident earlier this month at Six Flags Over Georgia, according to corporate announcements. The announcement is a notable shift in safety protocols for rides that previously relied solely on lap-bar restraints to secure passengers.

The safety overhaul comes after 42-year-old Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem was ejected from the Goliath roller coaster on October 12, 2026. Witnesses reported seeing Kariem rise out of his seat and fall back into the cart before being ejected from the ride, striking other patrons before landing on a haunted house roof below. Four other passengers, all minors, sustained injuries during the incident, according to police and news reports.

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In a statement issued Friday, Six Flags President and CEO John Reilly addressed the tragedy. We are reinforcing safety precautions at our parks and taking additional measures, including adding seat belts on Goliath and other coasters with a similar restraint, Reilly said, adding in a letter to customers that I know trust is earned through actions and not words. As CEO of Six Flags, I take that responsibility personally.

According to NBC News, three specific rides are slated to receive the seat belt upgrade: Goliath at Six Flags Over Georgia, Nitro at Six Flags Great Adventure, and Raging Bull at Six Flags Great America.

The restraint systems in question were manufactured by Swiss firm Bolliger & Mabillard. Patented in 2001, the system utilizes a padded clamshell restraint that locks over a rider's lap and upper legs via a vertical bar positioned between the knees, intended to give guests a free-floating sensation while maintaining security.

Out of an abundance of caution, Six Flags took nine total coasters offline across its network. The closures span multiple regional amusement parks:

The incident has also prompted external safety actions outside the Six Flags corporate umbrella. SeaWorld Orlando temporarily shut down its Mako roller coaster before reopening it, while a coaster at La Ronde in Montreal also saw a temporary closure.

State regulators are actively scrutinizing historical maintenance records and operating conditions. According to NBC News and CNN reports, inspection documents from the Georgia Office of Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire show that Goliath passed annual checks between 2014 and 2026. However, inspectors frequently noted issues involving corrosion, worn drive wheels, support structures, and the need to replace shock-absorbing bushings during a March 2026 check prior to the season opening.

Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John King emphasized the gravity of the inquiry, stating that investigators are leaving no stone unturned in what he described as one of the most serious investigations conducted in the state in recent years. In addition to state inquiries, Six Flags has retained independent engineers and ride inspection specialists to perform a comprehensive portfolio-wide review of safety procedures across all attractions.

Additional industry context highlights ongoing scrutiny of theme park ride safety. The Independent reported that the fatality follows lawsuits and permanent closures elsewhere in the chain, including the retirement of the X2 roller coaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain following allegations of severe rider injuries.

As investigations continue, Six Flags has not yet provided a definitive timeline for when Goliath or the eight other closed roller coasters will reopen to the public pending completion of safety reviews and engineering clearances. Park leadership stated they will continue communicating progress updates to guests and passholders as independent findings are evaluated and implemented across the amusement chain.