Six Flags adding seat belts to Goliath after fatal fall

Summarised from 4 outlets · Updated 24 Oct, 20:32 · Archive

Six Flags is adding seat belts to its Goliath roller coaster after a man died falling from the 200-foot ride.

Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, 42, an Atlanta teacher, fell from the Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia on 12 October. Witnesses described him being hurled from the speeding ride and striking the coaster's cars multiple times as he fell. Four children were injured in the incident and taken to local hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries.

The Goliath ride reaches speeds of roughly 70 mph and towers 200 feet above the park, lasting approximately 3.5 minutes. At the time of the incident, riders were secured only by padded, U-shaped lap bars that lock across the thighs, rather than seat belts.

Six Flags President and CEO John Reilly announced on Friday that the company would add seat belts to Goliath and other coasters equipped with similar restraints. Reilly stated in a press release that the tragedy had deeply affected the company and that its commitment to safety demands 'constant vigilance and determination to continually improve'.

How it is being reported

• Roller coaster to have seat belts after man fell to death at amusement parkHassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, 42, died after being ejected from his seat on the Goliath coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia and now the amusement park is set to install seat beltsThe Mirror · 24 Oct, 23:03
• Six Flags to reopen Goliath rollercoaster – but now with seatbelts after recent rider deathHassan Jihad Ibn Kariem fell from ride earlier this month, spurring amusement park to temporarily shut it down Six Flags will install seatbelts on its Goliath rollercoaster in Georgia , after a rider plummeted to his death earlier this month. Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, a 42-year-old father and educator, was thrown from his seat on the Goliath, a coaster that plunges riders down 165ft, before a second drop of 180ft. On his way down, he collided with the ride’s other cars. Continue reading...Guardian World · 24 Oct, 20:44
• Six Flags adds important safety feature after teacher plummeted to his death on rollercoasterHassan Kariem, 42, was killed at the theme park in Austell earlier this month, after he was thrown from his seat on the Goliath rollercoaster. Four others were injured.Daily Mail · 24 Oct, 20:18
• Six Flags making change to ‘Goliath’ coaster after dad fell to his death from 200-foot rideThe Atlanta teacher was riding the massive coaster when he was suddenly hurled from the speeding attraction, according to police and witness accounts.New York Post · 24 Oct, 16:52

In this story: Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem · John Reilly · Six Flags · Six Flags Over Georgia · Atlanta

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