# Six Flags to Install Seat Belts on Goliath Roller Coaster After Fatal Incident

> The company announced safety upgrades for Goliath and other similar rides following the October 12 death of Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem.

By PrimaryBrief newsroom · Published 2026-10-24T17:46:14.300791Z
Canonical: https://primarybrief.com/article/six-flags-to-install-seat-belts-on-goliath-roller-coaster-after-fatal-incident-9103dcbe

Six Flags Entertainment Corporation announced on October 23, 2026, it will install seat belts on the Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia and other rides with similar restraint systems, less than two weeks after 42-year-old Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem died on the ride [1][3][4]. This safety upgrade will affect Goliath and at least eight other Bolliger & Mabillard hypercoasters across Six Flags parks in the U.S. and Canada [2][4].

This decision signals a major shift in ride safety protocols for one of the largest amusement park operators, potentially influencing industry standards and bringing new scrutiny to the existing patchwork of state-level safety regulations.

## What the records show
Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, a 42-year-old Atlanta resident, died on October 12, 2026, after being ejected from the Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia [1][3][4][6]. Kariem, a technology teacher, robotics coach, and IT manager at Wesley International Academy for over 12 years, was celebrating his niece's birthday at the park [6][8][10]. The incident occurred around 3:58 p.m. [6]. Witnesses described Kariem being ejected from his seat, striking other patrons, and then falling beneath the ride [5][6][9]. Four juvenile riders sustained non-life-threatening injuries [6][9][10].

The Goliath roller coaster, a Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M) hypercoaster that opened in 2006, reaches heights of 200 feet and speeds up to 70 mph [3][9]. Its restraint system consists of clamshell-style lap bars without an additional seat belt [3][9]. The Cobb County Police Department's Major Crimes Unit and the Georgia Office of the Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire are investigating the incident [6][7]. A March 16, 2026, inspection of the Goliath coaster reported no violations, but included a note to “replace bushings” [6][11].

## The timeline
On March 16, 2026, an inspection of the Goliath coaster noted a need to “replace bushings” but reported no violations or deficiencies [6][11]. On October 12, 2026, Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem died after being ejected from the Goliath roller coaster [1][3][4]. Six Flags immediately closed Goliath and temporarily closed eight other B&M hypercoasters at five other parks across the U.S. and Canada as a precautionary measure [2][4][10][13][14]. Six Flags President and CEO John Reilly issued a statement on October 23, 2026, detailing the company's response [1].

## What changed and for whom
Six Flags will install seat belts on the Goliath roller coaster and other coasters with similar restraint designs [1][2][3][4]. The company has also engaged independent engineers and ride inspection specialists to conduct a comprehensive audit of safety procedures across its entire portfolio of rides and attractions [1][4][8]. Six Flags is reinforcing employee training and operational procedures [1][8]. The company stated that the decision to add seat belts does not imply the original restraint system malfunctioned, as the official cause of the accident remains undetermined [1]. Goliath and eight other roller coasters remain temporarily closed pending safety reviews [9][10][12].

## What the subject has said publicly
John Reilly, Six Flags President and CEO, stated in an email to guests and passholders on Friday, October 23, 2026, “We are reinforcing safety precautions at our parks and taking additional measures, including adding seat belts on Goliath and other coasters with a similar restraint” [1][2][4]. Reilly emphasized, “Safety guides every decision we make” [2]. He expressed sorrow, saying, “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” [8][9]. Reilly pledged personal responsibility, stating, “As CEO of Six Flags, I take that responsibility personally” [8].

## What we could not confirm
The official cause of the accident has not been announced [1][3][12]. It is not clear whether the note to “replace bushings” from the March 16, 2026, inspection is related to the incident [11]. The specific other Six Flags coasters that will receive seat belts were not detailed in the announcement [4].

## Evidence cited
1. Six Flags to add seat belts to Goliath roller coaster after fatal accident (attractionsmagazine.com) — https://attractionsmagazine.com/six-flags-to-add-seat-belts-to-goliath-roller-coaster-after-fatal-accident/
2. Six Flags to add seat belts to more coasters after fatality (themeparkinsider.com) — https://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/202610/12574/
3. Six Flags CEO John Reilly says seat belts are coming to Goliath and other coasters with a similar restraint. Goliath stays closed, and Georgia still hasn't named a cause. (piratesandprincesses.net) — https://piratesandprincesses.net/2026/10/24/six-flags-ceo-says-seat-belts-are-coming-to-goliath-and-other-coasters-with-a-similar-restraint-goliath-stays-closed-and-georgia-still-hasnt-named-a-cause/
4. Six Flags to install seat belts on Goliath roller coaster after rider's death (independent.co.uk) — https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/six-flags-roller-coaster-goliath-seat-belts-b2628286.html
5. Witnesses describe horrifying moment when man was killed on the Six Flags Over Georgia roller coaster (11alive.com) — https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/six-flags-goliath-death/85-f5e1f0e4-52d3-48b2-b1bb-83f124a9e99a
6. Fatal Goliath Ejection Prompts Georgia Investigation (vbattorneys.com) — https://www.vbattorneys.com/news/fatal-goliath-ejection-prompts-georgia-investigation
7. Six Flags Over Georgia Goliath ride tragedy claims life (fox5atlanta.com) — https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/six-flags-over-georgia-goliath-incident-what-we-know
8. Six Flags Over Georgia adding seat belts to Goliath, other coasters after deadly fall (fox5atlanta.com) — https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/six-flags-over-georgia-goliath-seatbelts-safety-changes
9. Six Flags Takes Major Action After Deadly Coaster Accident (insidethemagic.net) — https://www.insidethemagic.net/2026/10/six-flags-deadly-accident-response-kc1/
10. Six Flags to add seat belts to roller coaster from which man fell to his death - CNN (cnn.com) — https://www.cnn.com/2026/10/23/us/six-flags-seat-belts-goliath-roller-coaster-death-georgia-cec/index.html
11. Six Flags to add seat belts to roller coasters after fatal incident at Georgia park - CBS News (cbsnews.com) — https://www.cbsnews.com/news/six-flags-goliath-roller-coaster-death-georgia-investigation-seat-belts/
12. Six Flags adding seat belts to B&M coasters after death in Georgia - Theme Park Tribune (themeparktribune.com) — https://www.themeparktribune.com/2026/10/24/six-flags-adding-seat-belts-to-bm-coasters-after-death-in-georgia/
13. Six Flags says it will install seat belts on Georgia roller coaster after rider's death (www.pbs.org) — https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/six-flags-says-it-will-install-seat-belts-on-georgia-roller-coaster-after-riders-death
14. Six Flags says it will install seat belts on Georgia roller coaster after rider's death (wboc.com) — https://www.wboc.com/news/national/six-flags-says-it-will-install-seat-belts-on-georgia-roller-coaster-after-riders-death/article_97b91d29-a1fc-5835-ae67-aa82410a823b.html
15. Six Flags to install seat belts on Goliath roller coaster after rider's death (the-independent.com) — https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/six-flags-roller-coaster-death-b2628286.html