Following Fatal Coaster Fall in Georgia, Six Flags Confirms Sweeping Nationwide Ride Changes

Six Flags is taking major action following a deadly roller coaster accident in Georgia that has raised serious questions about ride safety.

The company has confirmed new safety measures, including changes to restraint systems and an independent review of safety procedures across its parks.

Meanwhile, nine roller coasters remain closed as investigators examine what went wrong.

Deadly Georgia Roller Coaster Accident

On October 12, 2026, 42-year-old Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem died after being ejected from Goliath at Six Flags Over Georgia.

According to Cobb County police, preliminary findings indicated that Kariem came out of his seat, struck other passengers, and eventually fell beneath the roller coaster.

Four other riders, all minors, suffered injuries.

Goliath, which opened in 2006, reaches approximately 200 feet and travels at speeds approaching 70 mph.

The attraction uses a clamshell-style lap-bar restraint system to secure riders.

Following the accident, Six Flags closed Goliath and suspended operations on several similar roller coasters at other properties.

Cobb County police are investigating alongside the Georgia Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner.

Six Flags CEO Breaks Silence With Major Safety Announcement

Six Flags President and CEO John Reilly released a statement on October 23 addressing the tragedy and outlining the company’s response.

“To Our Guests and Passholders,

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.

What happened has deeply affected all of us at Six Flags. Safety has always been fundamental to the experience we provide for our guests. Across our parks, guests have taken more than one billion rides over the past four years, supported by comprehensive safety, maintenance and inspection programs. That commitment requires constant vigilance and determination to continually improve.

As we continue to support ongoing investigations, we are building on our commitment to safety in all we do including a focus on these priorities:

• Safety at the Core: Safety guides every decision we make, from the design and operation of our attractions to the training and procedures our teams follow every day. 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. Safety also depends on the dedicated teams who operate and maintain our attractions every day. Our ride operators complete a comprehensive, multi-stage training program that includes classroom instruction, hands-on training and supervised, on-the-job experience, with additional instruction and evaluation provided as necessary. We remain focused on reinforcing these practices and supporting our employees in their responsibility to put safety first.
• Commitment to Ongoing Improvement: Our comprehensive safety and maintenance programs are built on a commitment to ongoing evaluation and improvement. 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. We are committed to carefully evaluating their findings and taking appropriate action to further strengthen our standards and culture of safety.

We will continue to share updates on our progress.

An Update on Our Parks

Goliath at Six Flags Over Georgia remains closed pending necessary safety reviews and clearances. Eight additional rides at five other parks are temporarily closed out of an abundance of caution. Our parks remain open, including throughout Halloween weekend, with more than 220 roller coasters operating across our parks.

I know trust is earned through actions and not words. As CEO of Six Flags, I take that responsibility personally. We will continue to communicate about our progress and hold ourselves accountable to our commitments to you.

Sincerely,

John Reilly, President and CEO, Six Flags Entertainment Corporation”

Major Roller Coaster Changes Confirmed Across Six Flags Parks

The biggest announcement involves adding seatbelts to certain roller coasters.

Six Flags confirmed that Goliath will receive seatbelts, along with other attractions featuring similar restraint systems.

Goliath currently relies on its lap-bar restraint without an additional seatbelt. However, several similar coasters already feature both restraints.

The company hasn’t provided a complete installation schedule or identified every attraction requiring modifications.

Additionally, independent engineers and ride inspection specialists will review safety procedures throughout Six Flags’ entire portfolio.

The company also plans to reinforce employee training and operational procedures.

Nine Roller Coasters Remain Closed as Safety Reviews Continue

Despite the announcement, nine roller coasters remain temporarily closed across six Six Flags properties.

Goliath remains unavailable pending safety reviews and clearances, while eight additional attractions at five other parks remain closed as a precaution.

Affected attractions include Diamondback and Orion at Kings Island, Fury 325 and Thunder Striker at Carowinds, and Leviathan and Behemoth at Canada’s Wonderland.

These attractions share similarities with Goliath, particularly their restraint designs.

Six Flags hasn’t announced reopening dates.

However, its parks remain open, including throughout Halloween weekend, with more than 220 roller coasters operating.

What Happens Next for Six Flags?

The fatal accident has prompted significant safety changes throughout Six Flags’ properties.

Adding seatbelts, bringing in independent inspectors, and reviewing procedures nationwide represent major steps toward addressing concerns.

However, questions remain about what caused the accident and when the affected attractions will reopen.

With nine roller coasters still closed, Six Flags faces the challenge of rebuilding public confidence while investigators continue examining the tragedy.