Goliath rider’s fatal fall forces Six Flags to replace lap bars with seatbelts

Six Flags will replace the lap bars on its Goliath rollercoaster with seatbelts after a rider fell to his death earlier this month. The change follows the ejection of Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, a 42-year-old educator and father, from his seat during a ride at the Georgia park. Kariem fell 165 feet from the first drop before striking other cars on the track. The second drop on the 180-foot descent remains part of the ride’s design.

Company chief executive John Reilly confirmed the safety upgrade in a post published on Friday. He stated that the incident deeply affected the organization and reaffirmed the company's commitment to guest safety. Reilly specified that seatbelts will be installed on other coasters that utilize the same restraint system, though he did not name which rides would be included in the retrofit. Goliath currently uses a lap bar design manufactured by Bolliger & Mabillard that locks across a rider's waist.

The fatal fall prompted Six Flags to temporarily close Goliath and eight other rides across five different parks. The company has also engaged an independent reviewer to examine safety procedures for all its attractions. Reilly emphasized that the company will hold itself accountable and continue to share updates on its progress.

Georgia authorities have opened an investigation into Kariem's death. The incident occurs while Six Flags faces legal challenges over its X2 coaster at Magic Mountain. A recent CNN investigation documented a long history of brain injuries and at least two deaths linked to that attraction. A group of former riders alleges in court documents that the park operated a defective coaster and acted negligently by keeping it running. Six Flags permanently closed the X2 coaster in September.

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