Six Flags will add Goliath seatbelts Six Flags Over Georgia riders have never used before, following the death of a 42-year-old father and educator who fell from the coaster earlier in October 2026. The decision marks the first structural change to the ride’s restraint system since the incident and extends beyond a single attraction, with the company saying coasters using similar setups may also be modified.
The fall on Goliath
Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem was ejected from his seat while riding Goliath, according to the account surrounding the case. He struck other cars during the fall and died. Georgia authorities are investigating the death, and their findings have not been released.
Goliath, one of the signature attractions at Six Flags Over Georgia, opens with a 165-foot first drop and follows with a 180-foot second drop. Its restraint system is a lap bar supplied by Bolliger & Mabillard, the coaster design firm. Until now, the ride relied on that lap bar alone.
Company response and ride closures
Six Flags temporarily shut down Goliath and eight rides at five other parks after the fatality. In a statement posted Friday, 23 October 2026, CEO John Reilly said the incident had deeply affected the company’s staff. He described safety as something that has always been fundamental to the guest experience and said trust is earned through actions rather than words. Reilly also committed to communicating progress and accountability as the company moves forward.
The company has commissioned an independent safety review covering procedures across all Six Flags attractions. Seatbelts are planned for Goliath and for other coasters with comparable restraints. Six Flags has not specified which rides are on that list, nor has it given a timeline for installation.
Separate scrutiny over X2
The Goliath changes come as Six Flags faces a lawsuit over X2 at Six Flags Magic Mountain. Riders allege the coaster was defective and that the company was negligent, with claims centering on brain injuries. A CNN investigation found brain injuries and at least two deaths linked to X2. The ride was permanently closed in September 2026, before the Goliath incident. The X2 litigation is separate from the Georgia case and remains unresolved.
What remains unanswered
Investigators have not said why Kariem came out of his seat, and the outcome of the Georgia inquiry is still pending. The scope of the independent review and its conclusions are also undisclosed. Kariem’s family has questioned whether his death could have been prevented.
For now, the concrete change is the seatbelt addition on Goliath, a modification that alters how passengers are secured on a coaster known for steep drops. Whether that step, along with the wider review, will satisfy regulators, riders and the family is a question the coming weeks are expected to answer.
