Nine roller coasters remain closed across Six Flags properties following a fatal accident in Georgia, and the company is now taking additional steps to address safety concerns.
The amusement park operator has announced plans to strengthen certain restraint systems and bring in outside specialists to review its safety procedures.
These changes could affect multiple popular attractions, although Six Flags has not provided a timeline for completing the work.
Now, the company’s CEO is speaking publicly about the tragedy, explaining what Six Flags plans to do moving forward.
Tragic Accident Leads to Multiple Roller Coaster Closures
On October 12, 2026, a deadly incident occurred aboard Goliath at Six Flags Over Georgia.
Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, 42, died after being ejected from the roller coaster while it was operating.
According to preliminary findings from Cobb County police, Kariem came out of his seat, struck other passengers, and eventually fell beneath the attraction.
Four other riders, all minors, suffered injuries during the incident.
Goliath opened in 2006 and remains one of the park’s major thrill attractions. The roller coaster reaches approximately 200 feet and approaches speeds of 70 mph.
Unlike some other roller coasters, Goliath uses clamshell-style lap bars without additional seatbelts.
Following the accident, Six Flags closed Goliath and suspended operations on several attractions with comparable restraint systems.
Cobb County police and the Georgia Office of the Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner continue to investigate what happened.
Six Flags CEO Announces Significant Safety Measures
On October 23, Six Flags President and CEO John Reilly addressed the accident in a public statement, expressing sympathy for the victims and their families.
“Our hearts remain with the family and loved ones of Hassan Kariem, those injured, and everyone impacted by the tragic incident at Six Flags Over Georgia.”
Reilly also acknowledged the importance of maintaining public confidence in the company’s attractions.
While discussing the company’s safety efforts, he confirmed that Six Flags plans to introduce additional restraints on certain roller coasters.
“We are reinforcing safety precautions at our parks and taking additional measures, including adding seat belts on Goliath and other coasters with a similar restraint.”
The announcement means Goliath will eventually feature an additional safety restraint in addition to its existing lap bar.
However, the company’s response extends beyond installing seatbelts.
“We have engaged independent engineers and ride inspection specialists to comprehensively review current safety procedures across our entire portfolio of rides and attractions, across all of our parks.”
Six Flags also intends to reinforce employee training and operational practices while evaluating recommendations from the independent specialists.
The company has not identified every roller coaster that will receive modifications or announced when the installations will begin.
Nine Roller Coasters Remain Unavailable
The safety announcement comes as nine roller coasters remain temporarily closed across six Six Flags properties.
Goliath remains shut down pending additional safety reviews and necessary clearances.
Meanwhile, eight other attractions at five parks have also stopped operating as a precaution.
At Kings Island, both Diamondback and Orion remain unavailable.
Carowinds has temporarily closed Fury 325 and Thunder Striker, while Canada’s Wonderland has suspended operations on Leviathan and Behemoth.
These roller coasters share certain restraint characteristics with Goliath, although several already feature supplemental seatbelts.
Six Flags has not confirmed when any of the affected attractions will welcome guests again.
Despite the temporary shutdowns, the company says its parks will remain open throughout Halloween weekend.
More than 220 roller coasters continue operating across its properties.
What Comes Next for Six Flags?
Although Six Flags has outlined several safety improvements, important questions remain unanswered.
Investigators have not established the exact cause of the fatal accident, and the company has not released a complete schedule for the planned restraint modifications.
The independent safety review could also lead to further changes as specialists examine existing procedures.
For guests, the biggest immediate impact remains the temporary closure of nine roller coasters.
Reilly has promised continued updates while emphasizing the company’s responsibility to rebuild public trust.
As investigations continue, Six Flags must balance its efforts to strengthen safety procedures with the challenge of reopening affected attractions.
For now, the company has confirmed its next steps, but the timeline for returning all nine roller coasters to operation remains uncertain.
