Six Flags Implements Seat Belts Following Fatal Incident
Six Flags is set to introduce seat belts on several of its roller coasters, a change triggered by a tragic incident involving a man from Georgia who fell to his death. This decision comes shortly after 42-year-old Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem was thrown from the Goliath coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia. In total, eight other coasters with similar lap restraint systems are currently closed across the U.S. and Canada while investigations are underway.
Eyewitnesses reported that Kariem was seen rising from his seat before he fell back into the cart and, tragically, was ejected from the ride on October 12. Interestingly, some passengers who rode Goliath earlier had expressed worries regarding the effectiveness of the restraints.
Safety Concerns Amplified
The Goliath’s restraint system, produced by the Swiss manufacturer Bolliger & Mabillard, claims to offer riders a unique experience akin to riding on a “flying carpet,” while still ensuring “optimum security,” as per a U.S. patent awarded to the company back in 2001.
In response to this incident, Six Flags has decided to step up its safety measures. “We are reinforcing safety protocols at our parks and adding seat belts to Goliath and other coasters with similar restraints,” said John Reilly, President and CEO of Six Flags Entertainment, in a recent statement.
However, Six Flags has not specified which other coasters will be fitted with seat belts or when the rides that are closed might reopen their doors to the public.
Review of Safety Standards
All nine affected coasters are designed by Bolliger & Mabillard and feature a padded restraint that secures over the rider’s lap and upper legs, also supported by a bar positioned between the knees. In light of the recent events, Six Flags has brought in independent engineers and inspectors to conduct a thorough review of safety procedures across its parks.
Meanwhile, the other eight coasters at Six Flags parks located in Illinois, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, and Ontario, Canada are still out of commission. Goliath remains closed as state and local authorities continue the investigation into Kariem’s death.
This unfortunate event has also led to some precautionary closures beyond Six Flags. For example, SeaWorld Orlando temporarily halted operations on its Mako roller coaster, which utilizes a similar restraint system, but reopened it following a brief closure. Similarly, a roller coaster at La Ronde in Montreal was also closed temporarily.
