Six Flags said it would add seat belts to a Georgia roller coaster after a rider died in an accident
Six Flags will install seat belts on Goliath at Six Flags Over Georgia and other coasters with similar restraints, president and CEO John Reilly said. The move follows the Oct. 12 death of 42-year-old rider Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, who was ejected from Goliath. Goliath remains closed during investigations; eight other coasters at five parks are also temporarily closed.
More context
The company said Friday it would equip Goliath at Six Flags Over Georgia, along with other roller coasters using similar restraints, with seat belts. The move follows the Oct. 12 death of Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, 42, of Atlanta, who was ejected from his seat on Goliath. John Reilly, president and CEO of Six Flags Entertainment Corporation, said the company was reinforcing safety precautions at its parks. Reilly did not identify which other coasters would receive seat belts. Goliath remains closed while state and local officials investigate the death. Six Flags has also temporarily closed eight additional coasters at five parks in the United States and Canada; those rides share a manufacturer and a similar restraint system. The company has enlisted independent engineers and inspectors to review safety procedures for all its rides.
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Reporting
- PBS News — Six Flags says it will install seat belts on Georgia roller coaster after rider's death | PBS News
- AL.com — Six Flags to add seat belts to Georgia roller coaster after rider death by ejection - al.com
- The Guardian — Six Flags to reopen Goliath rollercoaster – but now with seatbelts after recent rider death
- CNBC — Six Flags to install seat belts on roller coaster after rider's death
- NBC News — Six Flags to add seat belts to roller coaster after Georgia man falls to his death
- The New York Times — Six Flags to Add Seatbelts on Roller Coasters After Rider’s Death - The New York Times
- cleveland.com — Six Flags adding seat belts after Georgia coaster death - cleveland.com
Verifier’s note
These results report that Six Flags will add seat belts to Goliath after a rider died, with similar rides also receiving the upgrade. The reporting is dated October 24, 2026, within the past 24 hours.