Six Flags is making a major safety change to several of its roller coasters following the death of a man who fell from a ride at its Georgia amusement park earlier this month.
The company announced Friday, October 23, that it will install seat belts on Goliath, the 200-foot-tall roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia, along with other rides that use similar restraint systems, as reported by the BBC.
The decision comes 11 days after an Atlanta man died when he was ejected from Goliath, an incident that also left several other guests injured.
Six Flags Announces New Safety Measures Following Deadly Incident
Six Flags President and CEO John Reilly confirmed the changes in a statement addressed to guests and season passholders.
“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,” Reilly said, per NBC News.
Goliath currently uses a clamshell-style restraint that locks over riders’ laps and upper legs. According to the Associated Press, the attraction does not have an additional seat belt.
Six Flags has not identified every coaster that will receive the upgrade or announced when the installations will be completed.
The company has also brought in independent engineers and ride inspection specialists to examine safety procedures across its parks.
What Happened on the Goliath Roller Coaster?
Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, 42, died Monday, October 12, after being thrown from his seat while riding Goliath, according to CNN.
The Atlanta resident, who worked at a school, reportedly struck other passengers before falling beneath the roller coaster. Several riders, including four minors, were injured.
Authorities have not determined what caused Kariem to be ejected.
The Associated Press reported that witnesses saw him rise from his seat before falling backward into the ride vehicle and eventually being thrown out.
The coaster, which opened in 2006, reaches about 70 mph.
Despite the deadly incident, state inspection records showed that Goliath passed its annual inspection in March without violations.
Eight Additional Roller Coasters Remain Closed
Goliath has remained closed since the incident, and Six Flags has not announced a reopening date.
Six Flags confirmed that eight additional roller coasters across five parks in the United States and Canada have been temporarily shut down as a precaution.
Those attractions use similar restraint systems, though the company has not established that the restraints caused the Georgia incident, according to CNN.
Meanwhile, Six Flags Over Georgia reopened Friday, October 16, and the company said its parks will remain operational through Halloween weekend.
More than 220 roller coasters across its properties continue operating.
Six Flags CEO Makes Personal Pledge to Guests
Reilly acknowledged the need to rebuild public confidence after the tragedy. “I know trust is earned through actions and not words. As CEO of Six Flags, I take that responsibility personally,” he said.
The company promised to provide further updates as independent safety reviews and official investigations continue.
Six Flags Announces Major Roller Coaster Safety Change After Rider’s Death