Six Flags adds seatbelts to Georgia coaster after rider death

Six Flags will install seatbelts on the Goliath rollercoaster at its Georgia park. The change follows the death of a rider who fell from the ride earlier this month.

Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, 42, was ejected from his seat on Goliath. The coaster features a 165-foot drop followed by a second plunge of 180 feet. As he fell, Kariem struck other cars on the track. Georgia authorities have opened an investigation into the incident.

The accident prompted the company to temporarily close Goliath. It also shut down eight rides across five other parks. In a statement on Friday, CEO John Reilly said, "What happened has deeply affected all of us at Six Flags." He added that safety is fundamental to the guest experience.

Reilly announced that seatbelts will also be added to other coasters using a similar restraint system. He did not specify which rides are included in this upgrade. Goliath currently uses a lap bar that locks across the waist, a design made by Bolliger & Mabillard. The park has also hired an independent firm to review safety procedures for all its attractions.

Reilly stated, "I know trust is earned through actions and not words." He promised to continue communicating progress on safety commitments.

The incident in Georgia occurs while Six Faces a lawsuit over the X2 ride at Magic Mountain. A CNN investigation found a long history of brain injuries and at least two deaths linked to that coaster. Court documents show a group of former riders accused the park of negligence for keeping the defective ride open. Six Flags permanently closed X2 in September.