OMM Newsroom
“Six Flags” plans to add seat belts to some of its rollercoasters after a man fell to his death from the “Goliath” ride at a park in Georgia earlier this month, BBC World reported.
Chief executive John Reilly said in a letter to customers late on Friday that the company was reinforcing safety measures across its parks. The seat belts will be added to “Goliath” and similar rides, which already have lap-bar restraints.
The company operates 34 locations across North America, with more than 220 rollercoasters in total.
“Goliath” in Georgia will remain closed pending safety reviews. As a precaution, eight other rides at five additional parks will also stay closed, Reilly said.
The company has hired independent engineers and ride-inspection specialists to review safety procedures across its amusement parks. Reilly said “Six Flags” would act on the experts’ findings and provide updates on its progress.
On 12 October, 42-year-old Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem died after being ejected from “Goliath” at “Six Flags Over Georgia”, police said. Four other passengers were injured as he fell. The incident is under investigation.
“Our hearts remain with the family and loved ones of Hassan Kariem, those injured, and everyone impacted by the tragic incident,” Reilly wrote. “What happened has deeply affected all of us at Six Flags,” he added.
“Goliath” opened in 2006. According to the park’s website, the ride reaches a height of 200ft (60m), has a 170ft drop and a 540-degree spiral, and can reach speeds of up to 70mph (112km/h). “Six Flags” rates it four out of five on its thrill scale.
More than 28 million guests visit “Six Flags” locations each year, according to the company’s website.
The fatal incident in October was not the first time a rider had died at one of the parks. In 2011, an Iraq War veteran died after being ejected from a ride in New York. In 2013, a woman died after slipping out of her restraints and falling 75 feet from a coaster in Texas.
In 2022, a 22-year-old man died from a brain injury after riding the “X2” coaster at “Six Flags Magic Mountain” in California. His family settled a wrongful-death lawsuit with the theme park in August.
The following month, the California park announced it was closing “X2” after more than 100 people alleged they had suffered brain injuries from the ride.
