Six Flags Announces Seatbelts and New Safety Measures for Goliath Nearly Two Weeks After a Rider Was Killed

Six Flags has announced new safety measures, including seatbelts, for the Goliath coaster at its Georgia park, nearly two weeks after a rider was killed when he was ejected from the ride.

The rider who died was Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, 42, an IT manager, teacher and robotics coach at an Atlanta school. He was ejected from the ride on October 12.

In the wake of the incident, the Cobb County Police Department said Kariem was ejected from the ride and struck other patrons before falling beneath the attraction. Other people were also injured in the incident, and the investigation is ongoing.

Kariem had gone to the Six Flags park with several family members to celebrate his niece's birthday. According to a relative, he was sitting beside his niece when he was ejected, turning a family celebration into a tragedy.

As part of the new measures, seatbelts will be installed on Goliath, which previously had lap-bar restraints. Adding seatbelts is therefore a significant change to the ride's safety system.

The park said Goliath will remain closed while administrators continue to inspect it and investigate Kariem's death. No timetable has been announced for reopening the ride.

The review goes beyond a single ride. Six Flags said it has engaged independent engineers and ride inspection specialists to comprehensively review current safety procedures across its entire portfolio of rides and attractions, at all of its parks.

'We are committed to carefully evaluating their findings and taking appropriate action to further strengthen our standards and culture of safety,' Six Flags said in a statement.

After the incident, Six Flags indefinitely closed nine similar coasters as a precaution, including Nitro at Great Adventure in New Jersey.

On Saturday, the company said eight of those coasters remained closed and will have seatbelts or other restraints installed before any decision is taken on reopening them.

Six Flags Over Georgia is located in Austell, west of Atlanta. According to the park's website, the Goliath roller coaster reaches an elevation of 200 feet and speeds of up to 70 mph. The ride first opened in 2006.

The investigation by the park and police is still ongoing. When Goliath and the other closed coasters can welcome visitors again will depend on the outcome of that investigation and the specialists' review.