Six Flags Adds Seatbelts to Goliath Rollercoaster

It was announced that additional seatbelts will be installed on the Goliath rollercoaster following a fatal accident at the Six Flags amusement park in Georgia.

Park management decided to increase safety measures following the accident at the Six Flags amusement park in the state of Georgia, in which 42-year-old Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem lost his life. On the Goliath rollercoaster, which features a 180-foot second drop following an initial 165-foot drop, Kariem was thrown from his seat and struck other cars. Following this fatal incident, an investigation was launched by Georgia authorities.

Due to the tragic incident, Goliath and eight coasters across five other parks were temporarily shut down. In a statement on Friday, Six Flags CEO John Reilly stated that the incident deeply affected all park employees. It was noted that seatbelts would also be added to other rollercoasters with similar safety restraints, though the complete list has not yet been finalized. Goliath, designed by Bolliger & Mabillard, originally featured a lap-bar restraint system locking around riders' waists. The park has also launched an independent review of safety procedures for all its attractions.