As Six Flags Over Georgia prepares to reopen this weekend following the death of a 42-year-old father while riding a roller coaster on Monday, October 12, questions remain on what caused the accident and what happens next.
Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, of Atlanta, died after being ejected from the Goliath roller coaster at the Six Flags Over Georgia amusement park, prompting the closure of a number of similar rides across North American theme parks.
The park is scheduled to reopen Friday, October 16, although Goliath will remain closed.
Six Flags says it does not currently have an anticipated reopening date for the ride as an investigation continues.
Was There a Mechanical Fault?
Preliminary reports and witness accounts say that Kariem was ejected from the coaster during the ride, leading to questions about a potential failure in the restraint.
Goliath, a roller coaster manufactured by Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M), is one of multiple hyper coasters designed with an individual “clam shell” lap belt that secures the rider while leaving the upper body free.
Investigators have not said whether a mechanical failure caused Kariem to be ejected, and there is currently no confirmed explanation for how he left the restraint.
Brian Avery, a senior lecturer in the University of Florida's Department of Sport Management, told Newsweek that when riders meet requirements and are correctly seated, they “should remain contained throughout the ride, including during airtime.”
The clamshell belt has several layers of safety, including seat and restraint geometry, locking mechanisms, restraint monitoring and dispatch interlocks. Attendants also check each rider’s belt before the ride begins.
However, Avery said that there can still be failures. “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,” he explained.
“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.”
Avery said that investigators would likely 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.
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What Regulation Is in Place?
There is no federal regulation over amusement park rides, with the responsibility for safety regulations left down to the state.
The state-by-state system has faced criticism for creating inconsistent levels of oversight across the country, particularly from Democratic Senator for Massachusetts Edward Markey who has repeatedly introduced legislation to close what he calls a “loophole” in safety regulations for amusement rides.
In Georgia, the responsibility falls to the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire, who said in a statement this week that they are conducting an "in-depth and comprehensive review" to determine the circumstances and whether applicable policies and procedures were followed.
What Safety Checks Took Place?
Roller coasters in the state of Georgia are inspected by the state’s Office of the Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire.
Regulations say that amusement rides must have annual inspections, and Commissioner John King confirmed that this had taken place before the season began.
“Our very professional inspectors have inspected every one of those before the park season even started, and they’re currently on the ground looking at every nook and cranny, conducting interviews and conducting a thorough review of what happened,” King, who is running for reelection, said during a debate with his Democratic challenger, Keisha Waites, on Tuesday.
Newsweek reached out to the Commissioner’s Office and requested the state’s inspection records for Goliath, but has not yet received a response.
Accounts from several witnesses on the ride said that belts were checked before the ride began. The operator also has a computer safety system that displays a green light for every seat on the train to ensure it is locked before it can be dispatched.
Six Flags’ own safety page highlights that rides undergo “extensive inspection and maintenance procedures.”
“At Six Flags, safety is not a single inspection, a training course or a checklist. It is a culture that influences every decision we make,” the site says.
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What Did Witnesses See?
As news of the incident spread, witnesses began to come forward, with one sharing how the moment was captured in a souvenir photograph that made its way around social media.
Multiple witnesses said that the man had fallen out of the ride and hit the ground below. “He fell and hit the car three different times,” an unnamed witness told WXIA-TV in Atlanta.
Another witness told CNN this week that she was waiting for the ride when the car pulled up with an empty seat. She said that one man was “freaking out, saying someone fell off” and calling staff for help.
“Once I saw the girl and the loose safety bar, my stomach dropped and I was terrified,” the woman said.
Contact Newsweek editor on this story: Edward Pearcey.