Six Flags: Goliath Seat Belt Installation After Rider Death

• Six Flags will install seat belts on the Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia following a rider's death.
• The 42-year-old rider, Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, died on October 12 after being ejected from the ride.
• Eight other Six Flags coasters with similar Bolliger & Mabillard clamshell restraints have also been temporarily closed.
• The company's CEO confirmed that all rides with similar restraints will receive the safety upgrade.
• State and local officials are conducting an ongoing investigation into the incident.

Legal professionals advising amusement park operators, ride manufacturers, or their insurers should closely monitor the findings of the investigation and the subsequent regulatory responses.

Six Flags Entertainment Corporation has announced plans for a significant safety upgrade across its parks, including the installation of seat belts on the Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia. This decision follows the tragic death of 42-year-old Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem of Atlanta, who was ejected from the ride on October 12. The company's CEO, John Reilly, confirmed that other roller coasters within the Six Flags portfolio that utilize a similar restraint system will also receive this enhanced safety feature.

The announcement came less than two weeks after the fatal incident, which has led to the continued closure of Goliath as state and local authorities conduct an ongoing investigation. While specific details regarding the cause of the accident have not yet been released by investigators, witnesses reported seeing Mr. Kariem rise from his seat, fall headfirst back into the ride vehicle, and subsequently be ejected. Concerns about the ride's restraints had reportedly been voiced by some patrons who rode Goliath earlier on the day of the incident.

In addition to the Six Flags Goliath seat belt installation, the company has temporarily shuttered eight other roller coasters across five of its parks in the U.S. and Canada. These rides, like Goliath, share a common manufacturer and a comparable restraint design. Six Flags has not provided a timeline for when these additional coasters are expected to resume operation. The company has also engaged independent engineers and inspectors to conduct comprehensive reviews of safety protocols for all attractions throughout its theme parks.

The nine Six Flags roller coasters taken offline, including Goliath, were all manufactured by the Swiss company Bolliger & Mabillard. These rides are equipped with a specific type of clamshell restraint system. This design features a padded restraint that secures over the rider's lap and upper legs, locking into place via a vertical bar positioned between the rider's knees. A U.S. patent granted to Bolliger & Mabillard in 2001 for this system described its intent to provide riders with a sensation of flying, akin to a 'flying carpet' or 'flying scooter,' while simultaneously ensuring 'optimum security.'

The ripple effect of the October 12 death extended beyond Six Flags. Following the incident in Georgia, other theme park operators also took precautionary measures. SeaWorld Orlando in Florida and La Ronde in Montreal, Canada, each temporarily closed one roller coaster that utilizes similar clamshell restraints. SeaWorld's Mako coaster was offline for a week before reopening; no safety upgrades, such as seat belts, were implemented or planned for that attraction at the time of its reopening. The Associated Press has sought updates from both SeaWorld and La Ronde regarding their respective coasters.

The ongoing roller coaster accident investigation into the death of Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, coupled with Six Flags' proactive safety upgrades, carries significant implications for the broader theme park industry. The decision to implement the Six Flags Goliath seat belt installation and similar measures across other rides could set new precedents for safety standards, particularly concerning restraint systems manufactured by Bolliger & Mabillard and others.

Legal professionals advising amusement park operators, ride manufacturers, or their insurers should closely monitor the findings of the investigation and the subsequent regulatory responses. This incident could significantly impact future product liability claims, potentially redefining the standard of care expected for ride restraints. Furthermore, it may influence premises liability assessments across the theme park industry, necessitating a thorough review of current safety protocols and potential litigation exposures, especially in jurisdictions like Georgia where the incident occurred. The focus on the specific design of the clamshell restraints and witness accounts of their performance will be critical in shaping future liability discussions.

Lawyers advising amusement park operators, ride manufacturers, or their insurers should closely monitor the ongoing investigation into the Goliath death and the subsequent safety upgrades. This incident could significantly impact future product liability claims, regulatory standards for ride restraints, and premises liability assessments across the theme park industry, necessitating a review of current safety protocols and potential litigation exposures.

Source: Original reporting via Associated Press