Six Flags to Add Seat Belts to Goliath After Fatal Coaster Accident

Six Flags Over Georgia is installing seat belts on its Goliath roller coaster. The company made this decision after Hassan Kariem, 42, died in a tragic accident on October 12. Kariem was ejected from his seat in front of his family. He struck the ride's metal frame multiple times before hitting the ground. Witnesses described being covered in his blood.

John Reilly, CEO of Six Flags Entertainment Corporation, announced the change on Friday. The Goliath has remained closed since the incident. Reilly stated that the company is reinforcing safety precautions across its parks. This includes adding seat belts to Goliath and other coasters with similar restraints.

"The clamshell restraint has been good enough," said Robert Niles, editor of ThemeParkInsider.com. He spoke to WSB-TV about the trade-off between safety and speed. Niles explained that lap belts add an extra layer of security. However, they also take another moment or two to connect and disconnect. This slows down the line for subsequent riders.

Reilly assured the public that ride operators undergo rigorous training. The program includes classroom instruction, hands-on practice, and supervised on-the-job experience. The company is also bringing in independent engineers and ride inspection specialists. They will review safety procedures at attractions across all parks.

"I know trust is earned through actions and not words," Reilly wrote. He emphasized that he takes this responsibility personally as CEO. Six Flags has temporarily closed nine rides across five parks for these safety reviews.

Kariem worked in education technology at Wesley International Academy in Georgia. He was at the park to celebrate the 13th birthday of his fiancée's niece, according to Joshua Nelson, his future brother-in-law. Nelson spoke with CNN about the loss.

Goliath is a massive structure. It reaches top speeds of 70 mph and climbs more than 200 feet into the air. This makes it the tallest roller coaster in Georgia. The ride lasts roughly three and a half minutes. Riders navigate razor-sharp turns and soar over colossal hills, according to the Six Flags website.

Parkgoers expressed relief at the news of the new seat belts. One woman told reporters she would definitely get back on the ride once the modifications are complete. Six Flags Over Georgia will remain open for Halloween weekend, along with its other US locations. Investigators have not yet determined exactly how Kariem fell from the coaster.

Footage captures the terrifying moment a rider shot headfirst from his seat, leaving him suspended in mid-air while fellow passengers stared in shock. This latest scare lands roughly one month after Six Flags Magic Mountain in California confirmed it would dismantle its infamous X2 roller coaster. The park made that decision following a wave of lawsuits alleging the ride caused severe injuries to guests. The Daily Mail has contacted Six Flags Entertainment Corporation for comment.