Six Flags Over Georgia opens its gates Friday evening for Fright Fest, less than a week after 42-year-old Hassan Kariem died falling from the Goliath roller coaster. Police say Kariem was ejected from the ride Monday, struck several other guests, and was found beneath the coaster. His niece was seated next to him, and his brother-in-law says his restraint came undone as the ride dropped. The Goliath remains closed, and Cobb County officials are expected to give an investigation update at a Friday press conference.
In a separate safety step, Six Flags has temporarily shut down nine similar rides across six of its parks, all of them using the same lap-restraint design as the Goliath. The park says other attractions will operate as scheduled, and its president, Richard Pretlow, said the company remains focused on supporting those affected while maintaining safe operations. He added that while serious incidents like this are exceedingly rare, the company never takes its responsibility to guests for granted.
For Suncoast families who make the drive to Tampa’s Busch Gardens or hop on coasters at any of Florida’s parks, this one raises a fair question about lap bars versus over-the-shoulder restraints, and what inspection records actually tell us. Serious coaster incidents are rare. That doesn’t make the questions go away.
Would you still ride a lap-bar coaster this weekend, or does this change how you feel about thrill rides?
