Theme park safety: Six Flags swaps lap bars for seatbelts on Goliath

Six Flags will replace the lap bar restraints on its Goliath rollercoaster with full seatbelts. The company made the announcement on Friday after Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, a 42-year-old educator and father, died earlier this month at Six Flags Over Georgia.

Kariem was ejected from his seat during the ride's operation. Goliath features a 165-foot drop followed by a second plunge of 180 feet. As he fell, Kariem struck the ride's other cars. Georgia authorities have opened an investigation into the death. In the immediate aftermath, Six Flags temporarily shut down Goliath and eight other rides across five parks.

The Goliath coaster currently uses a lap bar design produced by Bolliger & Mabillard that locks across a rider's waist. Chief Executive John Reilly stated that the company will install seatbelts on other coasters that use a similar restraint system, though he did not name the specific rides included in the update.

Reilly said the incident deeply affected the company. He noted that safety has always been fundamental to the guest experience. The park has also commissioned an independent review of safety procedures for all its attractions. Reilly added that trust is earned through actions rather than words.

The safety changes come as Six Flags faces legal scrutiny over a different attraction. A group of former riders has filed a lawsuit alleging bodily harm and negligence related to the X2 ride at Magic Mountain. Court documents claim the park operated a defective coaster, citing a record of brain injuries and at least two deaths revealed by a recent investigation. Six Flags permanently closed the X2 coaster in September.