Six Flags Over Georgia opens its gates Friday evening for Fright Fest, less than a week after 42-year-old Hassan Kariem fell to his death from the Goliath roller coaster. The ride itself stays closed, and Cobb County officials are expected to give an update on the investigation Friday. Kariem’s brother-in-law says his lap restraint came undone during a drop. His niece was seated next to him. Other park guests were injured when he fell, and his body was found beneath the coaster.
What makes this case so unsettling is the paperwork. Inspection records show the Goliath passed every review from 2016 through 2026, with only a routine bushing replacement logged in March. Even so, Six Flags has temporarily shut down nine similar lap-restraint rides across six parks as a precaution. That decision alone suggests the company isn’t certain yet what went wrong. Meanwhile, some park-goers say reopening for a Halloween event this soon feels inconsiderate to a grieving family.
For Suncoast families planning a theme park trip this fall, the practical takeaway is simple: check your own restraint, listen to the ride operator, and never feel embarrassed about flagging something that feels loose. Safety systems are only as good as the last inspection and the last set of eyes on them. So we want to hear from you: would you still ride a coaster that just passed every inspection, or does this story change how you feel about strapping in?
