Six Flags installs seatbelts on Goliath after rider death

Riders at Six Flags Over Georgia will soon find seatbelts instead of lap bars on the Goliath rollercoaster. The change follows the death of a 42-year-old man who was ejected from the ride earlier this month. Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem fell from a 165-foot drop and struck other cars on the track. Georgia authorities have opened an investigation into the incident.

Six Flags CEO John Reilly announced the upgrade in a statement on Friday. He said the company will also install seatbelts on other coasters that use the same restraint system. Goliath currently uses a lap bar design made by Bolliger & Mabillard. Reilly did not list which other rides will receive the new belts.

The park temporarily closed Goliath along with eight rides at five other locations. Six Flags also hired an independent firm to review safety procedures across all its attractions. Reilly wrote that safety is fundamental to the guest experience. He added that the team would continue to communicate progress and hold itself accountable.

The accident occurred as Six Flags faces legal challenges from other parks. A lawsuit in court documents alleges negligence regarding the X2 coaster at Magic Mountain. The suit claims the ride caused brain injuries in a group of former riders. A recent investigation by CNN reported a history of brain injuries and at least two deaths linked to that specific coaster.

Six Flags permanently closed the X2 ride in September. The company now applies the new belt standard to Goliath and other similar coasters. The immediate goal is to restore rider confidence through updated hardware. No specific date for the Goliath reopening was provided in the announcement.