Six Flags Adds Seat Belts After Fatal Georgia Roller Coaster Fall

Six Flags plans to install seat belts on the Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia and other rides with similar restraint systems after a fatal accident at the park near Atlanta on October 12, 2026. The company announced the changes on October 23 as Georgia authorities continued investigating the death of Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, 42, and the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Goliath remains closed while safety reviews and inspections proceed. According to Six Flags, eight additional rides at five other parks have also been temporarily shut down as a precaution, while more than 220 roller coasters across the company's properties remain operational.

The Goliath coaster reaches speeds of up to 70 mph and heights of 200 feet. The ride uses a waist restraint without an over-the-shoulder harness, and the planned seat belt installation will add another component to its existing restraint system.

Six Flags President and CEO John Reilly said the company was introducing broader safety measures following the fatal incident and would review its procedures across its parks.

"I know trust is earned through actions and not words. As CEO of Six Flags, I take that responsibility personally," said John Reilly, Six Flags president and CEO.

Reilly said the company had engaged independent engineers and ride inspection specialists to conduct a comprehensive review of safety procedures. The planned changes also include reinforcing employee training and reviewing the procedures used to operate and maintain attractions.

"Safety has always been fundamental to the experience we provide for our guests," Reilly said.

The company also highlighted the role of employees in maintaining ride safety, including the training required before operators assume their responsibilities.

"Safety also depends on the dedicated teams who operate and maintain our attractions every day. Our ride operators complete a comprehensive, multi-stage training program that includes classroom instruction, hands-on training and supervised, on-the-job experience, with additional instruction and evaluation provided as necessary," Reilly said.

He also expressed sympathy for those affected by the accident and reiterated the company's commitment to reviewing its safety practices.

"Our hearts remain with the family and loved ones of Hassan Kariem, those injured, and everyone impacted by the tragic incident at Six Flags Over Georgia," Reilly said.

The Cobb County Police Department's Major Crimes Unit said preliminary information gathered from witnesses and employees indicated that Kariem had been ejected from the coaster. Police said he struck other riders before falling beneath the ride and being found "unresponsive and not breathing." Several other people were injured, including four minors, according to police information cited by CNN.

A witness interviewed by CNN said an empty seat was visible when the coaster train returned, and she believed the restraint on that seat appeared loose. She also described seeing an injured passenger and blood before emergency personnel arrived. These observations have not established the cause of the accident.

Georgia authorities are examining evidence, equipment and documentation to determine whether state safety requirements were followed. The Georgia Office of Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire has also released inspection reports covering Goliath from 2014 through 2026.

The reports show that the coaster repeatedly passed annual inspections, although maintenance records identified issues involving corrosion, worn drive wheels, structural supports and foundations. A March 2026 inspection resulted in a passing assessment, while a separate finding noted that certain bushings, components used to reduce vibration and absorb mechanical stress, needed replacement.

According to CNN's review of safety records, the coaster's March 16 inspection recorded no violations, deficiencies, citations or red tags. Investigators have not announced a final determination about the cause of Kariem's death or whether any maintenance issue contributed to the accident.

Six Flags has continued operating its parks while the reviews proceed. The company has not announced when Goliath or the other temporarily closed attractions will reopen.