A man died at Six Flags Over Georgia on Monday after his restraint came free while riding in the Goliath hyper coaster, a ride designed by Swiss-based roller coaster design company Bolliger & Mabillard, prompting questions about what other rides at Six Flags hubs might have been designed by the company as an investigation ensues.
It remains unclear what caused the accident, and no fault has been determined.
The incident prompted the closure of nine rides across Six Flags locations in the United States, most of which had been manufactured by Bolliger & Mabillard. Despite the incident and investigation, Bolliger & Mabillard is highly regarded for its “stellar safety record,” Brian Avery, a senior lecturer in the University of Florida's Department of Sport Management, told Newsweek.
“The company has a long history of designing rides for leading parks worldwide,” Avery said. “Any individual incident still requires a thorough investigation of the specific ride, its condition and operation, and the available evidence before conclusions can be drawn.”
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Man Dies After Goliath Roller Coaster Accident: What We Know
Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, a 42-year-old Atlanta resident, has been identified as the person killed after being ejected from a roller coaster at the Six Flags Over Georgia amusement park on Monday.
Officers found Kariem beneath the ride, unresponsive and not breathing, before securing the scene and requesting assistance from the department's Major Crimes Unit, the Cobb County Police Department told Newsweek in an emailed statement on Tuesday. The department said Kariem's next of kin had been notified.
"We were deeply saddened by the guest incident at one of our parks yesterday. Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with the guest’s family, friends, and loved ones. We are also providing support to the guests and team members affected," Six Flags said in a statement to Newsweek on Tuesday.
Kariem’s fall was captured by souvenir photos, and one witness detailed a horrifying account in which Kariem’s body hit others on the ride before falling onto the roof of a haunted house attraction.
Investigators have not publicly said what caused Kariem to be ejected. Police said they are continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident and described the investigation as "active and ongoing."
What Is Bolliger & Mabillard?
Bolliger & Mabillard, or B&M, designed and manufactured the Goliath coaster and has made roller coaster rides since 1988.
A spokesperson for the company told Newsweek on Tuesday: "We are really deeply saddened by this tragic accident. Our thoughts are with the family and those affected. We are actively investigating the incident, but we have no further comment until we have a better understanding."
With over 100 roller coasters, B&M is known for pioneering ride technology and producing various coaster types, including multiple rides at Six Flags locations across the country.
Restraint systems vary by roller coaster design, Avery told Newsweek.
“[B&M's] familiar hyper coaster design uses an individual contoured lap restraint working with the shaped seat to contain the rider while leaving the upper body relatively open,” Avery said.
Despite leaving the upper body open, Avery said riders who meet the ride’s requirements and who are correctly seated “should remain contained throughout the ride, including during airtime.”
“An ejection requires a careful examination of how that containment was lost,” Avery said. “The outcome alone does not tell us whether a component failed, a restraint opened, or another aspect of the containment system was inadequate.”
Restraint systems include several layers of safety, including seat and restraint geometry, locking mechanisms, restraint monitoring, and dispatch interlocks. Attendants also check each rider before the ride departs.
However, restraints can still fail for various reasons.
“A restraint can remain mechanically locked yet fail to provide effective containment if the rider’s size, seating position, and restraint fit fall outside what the system can safely accommodate,” Avery said. “Investigators must examine how the rider, seat, and restraint interacted under the ride’s forces. Those are investigative questions, not conclusions about the person involved here.”
According to Avery, investigators might examine the restraint’s locking mechanism, pivots, connections, fasteners, the seat, and the supporting structure for damage, as well as wear, improper adjustment, or unintended release.
“They would also assess sensors, controls, maintenance history, and modifications. It is important to examine the complete system rather than assume a particular part failed,” Avery said.
Which Six Flags Roller Coasters Were Made by Bolliger & Mabillard?
Bolliger & Mabillard has manufactured several roller coasters across Six Flags hubs, according to the company's website.
These include:
- Tormenta Rampaging Run at Six Flags Over Texas
- Wrath of Rakshasa at Six Flags Great America
- Dr. Diabolical’s Cliffhanger at Six Flags Fiesta Texas
- Tatsu at Six Flags Magic Mountain
- Goliath at Six Flags Over Georgia
- Nitro at Six Flags Great Adventure
- Superman Krypton at Six Flags Fiesta Texas
- Batman: The Ride at Six Flags Great America
- Diamondback at King’s Island
- Leviathan at Canada’s Wonderland
- Gatekeeper at Cedar Point
- Banshee at King’s Island
- Rougarou at Cedar Point
- Valravn at Cedar Point
- Orion at King’s Island
- Yukon Striker at Canada’s Wonderland
- Rapterra at Kings Dominion
- Iron Menace at Dorney Park
- Fury 325 at Carowinds
- Hydra the Revenge at Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom
Which Roller Coasters Did Six Flags Close After the Death?
Six Flags has announced the closure of nine rides across its hubs out of an abundance of caution, including at Cedar Point and King’s Island. The closed rides include:
- Goliath at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Southern California
- Raging Bull at Six Flags Great America in Illinois
- Nitro at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey
- Fury 325 at Carowinds in North Carolina
- Thunder Striker at Carowinds in North Carolina
- Orion at Kings Island in Cincinnati
- Diamondback at Kings Island in Cincinnati
- Leviathan at Canada’s Wonderland
- Behemoth at Canada’s Wonderland
Is Six Flags in Georgia Open?
Six Flags Over Georgia remains open, though the Goliath coaster is closed. Some other rides may be unavailable.
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Kate Nalepinski and Sam Wilson.