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Six Flags seat belts are coming to the Goliath roller coaster in Georgia, the company’s CEO said on Friday, October 23. Other coasters with a similar restraint will get them too. The move follows the death of a rider on Goliath earlier this month. Here is what changed, which rides remain shut and what it means if you have a theme park trip planned.
Key Takeaways
- CEO John Reilly said Six Flags seat belts will go on Goliath and on other coasters with a similar restraint.
- Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, 42, an Atlanta educator, died on October 12 after he fell from Goliath, police said.
- Goliath remains closed while state and local officials investigate.
- Eight more coasters at five other Six Flags parks in the U.S. and Canada are also temporarily closed.
- Six Flags says it has hired independent engineers and ride inspection specialists to review safety across all of its parks.
What the Company Announced About Six Flags Seat Belts
Reilly shared the plan in a statement and a letter to customers late on Friday. “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,” he said, according to the Associated Press via PBS NewsHour.
He also spoke about trust. “I know trust is earned through actions and not words. As CEO of Six Flags, I take that responsibility personally,” Reilly said, as quoted by NBC News.
However, the company did not say exactly which coasters will get the Six Flags seat belts. It also has not said when the closed rides will reopen. According to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Six Flags has not set a restart date for Goliath, pending safety reviews and clearances.
What Happened on Goliath
On October 12, Kariem came out of his seat on Goliath at Six Flags Over Georgia, police said. He was 42 and lived in Atlanta. Four other passengers suffered injuries, the BBC reported.
Kariem worked at Wesley International Academy in the Atlanta Public Schools district, NBC News said. “Our hearts remain with the family and loved ones of Hassan Kariem, those injured, and everyone impacted by the tragic incident,” Reilly wrote in his letter.
Investigators have not said what went wrong. In addition, the AP reported that some people who rode Goliath earlier that day said they had concerns about its restraints.
Inspection Records
Last week, Georgia’s Office of Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire shared inspection reports for Goliath from 2014 to 2026. The reports show the ride repeatedly passed annual inspections, NBC News said. Still, inspectors noted issues over the years, such as corrosion and worn drive wheels. The March 2026 inspection was also a pass. However, an inspector noted that some bushings needed replacing.
Which Roller Coasters Are Closed Right Now
The Swiss company Bolliger & Mabillard built all nine closed Six Flags coasters, the AP said. They share a similar “clamshell” restraint. It sits at the top of a vertical bar between each rider’s knees and locks a padded restraint over the lap and upper legs.
A company spokesperson previously listed these rides as closed after the incident, according to NBC News:
- Goliath at Six Flags Over Georgia
- Raging Bull at Six Flags Great America (Gurnee, Illinois)
- Goliath at Six Flags Magic Mountain (California)
- Nitro at Six Flags Great Adventure (Jackson Township, New Jersey)
- Leviathan and Behemoth at Canada’s Wonderland (Vaughan, Ontario)
- Fury 325 and Thunder Striker at Carowinds (Charlotte, North Carolina)
- Orion and Diamondback at Kings Island (Mason, Ohio)
Note that the AP’s latest list of parks with closed coasters names Gurnee, Jackson Township, Charlotte, Mason and Vaughan. So check with your park before you go, because the status of each ride may change.
Other Parks Also Paused Similar Rides
The response has spread beyond Six Flags. SeaWorld Orlando and La Ronde in Montreal each closed one coaster with clamshell restraints, the AP reported. SeaWorld reopened its Mako coaster on Tuesday after about a week offline.
What Six Flags Seat Belts Mean for Your Next Park Visit
For most visitors, the parks are still open, and the Six Flags seat belts plan does not change that. As of Friday, more than 220 Six Flags roller coasters remain in operation, the company told NBC News. The chain has 34 locations across North America, the BBC said.
If you have tickets or a season pass, here are a few practical steps:
- Check the park’s website or app for ride closures on the day you plan to visit.
- Ask guest services whether a closed coaster has a reopening date.
- Follow every instruction from ride operators about restraints and seating.
- Speak up to a ride attendant if a restraint does not feel locked before the ride starts.
Meanwhile, Six Flags says it will share updates on its safety review. The company said it has engaged independent experts to “comprehensively review current safety procedures across our entire portfolio of rides and attractions, across all of our parks.”
Has This Happened Before at Six Flags?
Unfortunately, it is not the first serious incident at the company’s parks. An Iraq War veteran died in 2011 after being ejected from a ride in New York, the BBC reported. In 2013, a woman died after falling from a coaster in Texas.
More recently, a 22-year-old man died from a brain injury in 2022 after riding the X2 coaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain. His family settled a wrongful death suit in August, the BBC said. In September, other riders sued, alleging brain injuries on X2, according to NBC News.
Planning a family trip anyway? Our credit card hacks for travel rewards can help cut the cost. For more recent news, see our report on the France protests and what they mean for U.S. travelers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Six Flags adding seat belts to roller coasters?
Yes. CEO John Reilly said Six Flags will add seat belts to Goliath in Georgia and other coasters with a similar restraint. The company has not named every ride.
Is Goliath at Six Flags Over Georgia open?
No. Goliath remains closed while state and local officials investigate the October 12 death. Six Flags has not set a restart date.
Which other Six Flags rides are closed?
Eight other Bolliger & Mabillard coasters at five parks in the U.S. and Canada are temporarily closed. They include Raging Bull, Nitro, Fury 325, Orion and Diamondback.
What caused the accident on Goliath?
Investigators have not said. The investigation is ongoing.
Are Six Flags parks still open?
Yes. More than 220 Six Flags roller coasters remain in operation, the company said. Check your park’s app for closures before you visit.
Sources
- Six Flags says it will install seat belts on Georgia roller coaster after rider’s death (Associated Press via PBS NewsHour)
- Six Flags to add seat belts to roller coaster after Georgia man’s death (NBC News)
- Six Flags adding seat belts to Goliath rollercoaster following death (BBC News)
- Goliath, similar Six Flags rides to get new safety feature following deadly incident (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
