A deadly accident at Six Flags Over Georgia has prompted a major response from the amusement park company, with new safety measures now planned across its properties.
Six Flags has confirmed plans to modify certain roller coaster restraints while independent specialists examine safety procedures throughout the company.
The announcement comes as nine roller coasters remain temporarily closed, leaving guests wondering when they might reopen.
Company leadership has now addressed the tragedy directly, outlining the steps Six Flags plans to take as investigators continue searching for answers.
Fatal Accident Sparks Widespread Safety Concerns
On October 12, 2026, 42-year-old Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem died after being ejected from Goliath at Six Flags Over Georgia.
Cobb County police reported that preliminary findings showed Kariem leaving his seat while the roller coaster was operating. He reportedly struck other passengers before falling beneath the attraction.
Four other passengers, all minors, suffered injuries.
Goliath has operated at the Georgia amusement park since 2006. The roller coaster stands approximately 200 feet tall and reaches speeds approaching 70 mph.
The attraction uses a clamshell-style lap bar to secure passengers rather than a restraint system that includes a separate seatbelt.
Following the accident, Six Flags closed Goliath and temporarily shut down several other roller coasters featuring similar restraint designs.
Cobb County police and the Georgia Office of the Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner continue to investigate the incident.
Six Flags CEO Addresses Tragedy and Announces New Measures
On October 23, Six Flags President and CEO John Reilly released a statement addressing the fatal accident and the company's plans moving forward.
Reilly began by expressing sympathy for everyone affected by the tragedy.
“Our hearts remain with the family and loved ones of Hassan Kariem, those injured, and everyone impacted by the tragic incident at Six Flags Over Georgia.”
He also emphasized the company's responsibility to improve safety practices and confirmed that additional precautions are already underway.
“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.”
The announcement represents a significant change for Goliath, which currently relies on lap-bar restraints without supplemental seatbelts.
However, Six Flags isn't stopping with physical modifications.
“We have engaged independent engineers and ride inspection specialists to comprehensively review current safety procedures across our entire portfolio of rides and attractions, across all of our parks.”
The company also plans to reinforce existing employee training and operational procedures.
Reilly acknowledged that rebuilding public confidence will require action, and promised continued communication about the company's progress.
Several Popular Roller Coasters Remain Shut Down
While Six Flags prepares these changes, nine roller coasters remain temporarily closed across six properties.
Goliath remains unavailable until it completes the necessary safety reviews and receives clearance to resume operations.
Eight additional attractions at five other parks have also stopped operating as a precaution.
Among the affected roller coasters are Diamondback and Orion at Kings Island, along with Fury 325 and Thunder Striker at Carowinds.
Canada's Wonderland has also temporarily closed Leviathan and Behemoth.
These attractions feature restraint designs similar to Goliath's, although several already use supplemental seat belts alongside their lap bars.
Six Flags has not announced when the affected attractions will reopen.
Despite these closures, the company says its amusement parks will continue operating throughout Halloween weekend, with more than 220 roller coasters still available across its properties.
What Guests Can Expect Moving Forward
The newly announced seatbelt installations represent one of the most noticeable changes guests could encounter when affected roller coasters eventually reopen.
However, Six Flags has not released a complete installation timeline or identified every attraction that will receive modifications.
The independent safety review could also lead to additional adjustments, depending on what specialists discover.
For now, the company continues supporting the investigation while working toward reopening its temporarily closed attractions.
With nine roller coasters still unavailable and investigators working to determine exactly what happened in Georgia, Six Flags faces an important period ahead.
The company's latest announcement provides a clearer picture of its response, but guests will have to wait for further updates regarding the investigation, safety improvements, and reopening dates.
