ATLANTA (AP) — A significant number of amusement parks have closed roller coasters as authorities investigate the tragic incident involving the death of Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, a 42-year-old school employee from Atlanta, who fell from the Goliath coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia on Monday. Increasing safety concerns have prompted parks such as Sea World Orlando in Florida and La Ronde in Montreal, Canada, to suspend rides, raising the total of halted roller coasters to 11.
The investigation into the cause of Kariem's fall is being conducted by local police and a state regulatory agency. Eyewitness accounts suggest that Kariem was ejected from his seat on the Goliath coaster, while other riders reported issues with the ride's restraint system prior to the incident. Erica Billups, the mother of two children who rode Goliath shortly before the mishap, indicated that her son experienced problems with a restraint that did not secure properly. She noted that staff failed to inform her children about the issue.
Furthermore, Summer Bates, who also attended the park with her family, shared that her children had been trying to tighten their restraints during the ride, illustrating concerns about the safety of the harnesses. Six Flags has not responded to inquiries regarding potential restraint issues.
As a precaution, multiple roller coasters manufactured by Bolliger & Mabillard, the same company that built the Goliath coaster in Georgia, have been temporarily closed for safety inspections, including La Ronde's coaster also named Goliath and Sea World Orlando's Mako. While these closures are ongoing, Bolliger & Mabillard has declined to comment on specific reasons for the shut downs, citing that it is still gathering information on the incident.
The technical details of the suspended rides reveal that the majority are equipped with "clamshell" restraints designed for rider safety, but it is unclear if additional safety features, such as seat belts, are in place. Goliath in Georgia lacks these backup safety measures. Dennis Speigel, a theme park consultant, suggested the closings stem from concerns about the similarities in the restraint systems across the affected coasters, indicating that they could remain inactive until an understanding of the circumstances surrounding the Georgia incident is achieved.
Notably, Goliath is recognized as one of Six Flags Over Georgia's signature attractions, featuring a 200-foot first hill and speeds reaching 70 miles per hour. Witnesses explained that Kariem appeared to hover momentarily before falling, which was a shocking sight for onlookers. Following this incident, Six Flags has also faced scrutiny due to previous legal issues, including a class-action lawsuit alleging negligence in maintenance and operational safety prior to a merger with Cedar Fair.
Despite the ongoing investigations and heightened concerns, Six Flags Over Georgia is set to reopen, although the Goliath coaster is unlikely to resume operations soon. The park, located in Mableton approximately 15 miles northwest of Atlanta, has faced significant press attention as it navigates the ramifications of this tragic event.
