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

Six Flags has announced it will be adding seat belts to some of its rollercoasters, including the Goliath ride in Georgia, following a tragic incident earlier this month that resulted in a fatality.

In a letter to customers, Six Flags CEO John Reilly announced that the company is reinforcing safety measures across all its parks. This includes adding seat belts to Goliath and similar rides that currently feature lap bar restraints.

The amusement park chain, which operates 34 locations across North America with over 220 rollercoasters, is taking immediate steps to address safety concerns. The Goliath ride at Six Flags Over Georgia, along with eight other rides at five different parks, will remain closed pending thorough safety reviews as a precaution.

Additionally, the company has hired independent engineers and ride inspection specialists to evaluate safety procedures across all Six Flags locations. Reilly stated that the company will take necessary actions based on the experts’ findings and will provide regular progress updates.

On October 12, 42-year-old Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem was killed after being ejected from the Goliath ride at Six Flags Over Georgia. Four other passengers were injured in the incident. An investigation into the tragedy remains ongoing.

In his letter, Reilly expressed condolences to the victims, stating, “Our hearts remain with the family and loved ones of Hassan Kariem, those injured, and everyone impacted by the tragic incident. What happened has deeply affected all of us at Six Flags.”

Opened in 2006, Six Flags Over Georgia’s Goliath features a 200-foot (60m) elevation, a 170-foot plunge, a 540-degree spiral, and speeds of up to 70 mph (112 km/h). The ride is rated at level four out of five on the park’s thrill scale.

Source link