Theme park rides promise excitement backed by careful safety systems, and when a fatal incident happens, readers have questions that can take time to answer. A content note: this report discusses a death.
On October 12, 2026, Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, 42, of Atlanta, died after being ejected from Goliath at Six Flags Over Georgia, according to police, and four other riders were injured. This report is organized around the questions readers are asking, with each answer attributed to its source and unverified accounts labeled.
What’s the newest development?
Six Flags provided more detail on October 27 about its independent safety review. Spokesperson Kristin Fitzgerald told the Daily Herald that the review will examine inspection protocols, preventive maintenance, ride operating procedures, employee training, documentation, and safety practices across the company’s attractions.
She said issues needing immediate attention will be addressed as they’re identified, and that no timeline for completing the review has been established.
Are seat belts being added?
Fitzgerald confirmed to NBC News on October 24 that Goliath, Nitro at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey, and Raging Bull at Six Flags Great America in Illinois will receive supplemental seat belts. That followed CEO John Reilly’s October 23 announcement of new safety measures.
What have police said?
Cobb County police identified Kariem on October 13. According to police, preliminary interviews with witnesses and park employees indicate he was ejected from Goliath, struck other riders, and fell beneath the attraction. Officers responded at approximately 3:58 p.m. on October 12 and found him unresponsive beneath the ride.
The Major Crimes Unit and Georgia’s Office of the Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire are investigating.
Who was injured?
Four other riders were injured. Police confirmed that all four were minors, taken to different hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries. Their identities and ages are being withheld.
Could there be criminal charges?
Cobb County Deputy Chief Ballard said investigators don’t yet have enough information to decide. He explained that any criminal findings would depend on what they establish about the circumstances, including whether intent was involved. Cobb police are assisting state investigators, and the department’s investigation would conclude after the state’s, he said.
What does the family say?
Kariem’s brother-in-law, Joshua Nelson, told WSB-TV that his 13-year-old daughter was seated beside Kariem while celebrating her birthday. According to Nelson, she reported that Kariem appeared to lose consciousness before his restraint seemed to come loose. ABC News reported the account nationally. Investigators haven’t confirmed what caused Kariem to fall.
Did Goliath pass its inspections?
Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John King confirmed that Goliath’s most recent state inspection was March 16, 2026, with no violations, deficiencies, citations, or red tags. Records from 2024 and 2025 also showed no reported violations.
What about the bushings?
WSB-TV reported that the March records noted bushings needing replacement. The records don’t establish where those bushings were or whether they played any role.
On October 22, CBS News reported that an unnamed person familiar with the park’s operations said the bushings were in the coaster’s bogie assemblies, which connect the vehicle to the track, were unrelated to the passenger restraint system, and were replaced as recommended. That’s an anonymous source, and we can’t verify it.
Engineer Troy Richardson told CBS that bushings are used in several components, including restraints and wheel assemblies, and that investigators would likely examine whether the park followed the manufacturer’s maintenance and replacement instructions.
What has the commissioner said?
King told Atlanta News First the investigation is one of the most serious his office has conducted in a long time, and that Goliath won’t resume operating until officials are satisfied it’s safe. Investigators are expected to examine maintenance records, restraint components, ride data, and other evidence.
At an Atlanta Press Club debate, he said state inspectors had examined the park’s rides before the operating season began. That confirms inspectors are actively investigating, but it doesn’t establish whether a mechanical or operational problem contributed to the death.
When can Goliath reopen?
Under Georgia rules, an attraction involved in a fatal or seriously injurious accident must stay out of service until the state completes its investigation. King’s office will decide when and under what conditions Goliath may resume operations. Park president Richard Pretlow said Goliath remains temporarily closed with no anticipated reopening date.
How are rides inspected in Georgia?
Georgia requires stationary amusement rides to be state-inspected at least annually, subject to temporary-permit provisions, and inspected and tested by qualified personnel before operating each day. Six Flags outlines daily checks, test cycles, and oversight from independent inspectors and corporate safety specialists. The Associated Press reported that permanent attractions are generally subject to state-level oversight, with requirements varying by state.
What are witnesses saying?
PEOPLE interviewed riders who described unusual clicking sounds involving restraints and repeated checks by employees before departure. The New York Post reported visitors describing an earlier interruption, maintenance activity, and test runs. A mother, Erica Billups, told the AP that her children rode about an hour earlier and encountered a restraint that kept unlocking, that her son moved to another seat, and that the train reportedly left with the original seat empty and its restraint raised.
None of these accounts has been verified by investigators or established as the cause.
Is the park open?
Six Flags Over Georgia reopened the evening of Friday, October 16, for Fright Fest, with Goliath closed. Six Flags also temporarily closed nine other coasters at six parks on October 13, eight of which have no confirmed reopening dates, and Six Flags Magic Mountain’s Goliath has reopened after a precautionary closure and safety review. At a news conference, Cobb County Commission Chairwoman Lisa Cupid said the county has limited authority over ride safety, which rests with the state, and that the decision to visit belongs to each individual.
Why did a Fright Fest show change its name?
The park’s website now lists Dr. Fright’s Party, replacing Dr. Fright’s Dead Man’s Party. Six Flags hasn’t explained the change, and it’s unclear whether it’s connected to the incident.
What isn’t known?
The cause hasn’t been determined. Questions remain about the ride vehicle and restraint system, operating procedures, and the circumstances aboard the train, which are areas for examination and not findings of fault. Manufacturer Bolliger & Mabillard has confirmed it’s investigating. As listed in the coverage, anyone with information can contact the Cobb County Police Major Crimes Unit at 770-499-3945, though you should verify the number with the department.
Who was Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem?
He worked at Wesley International Academy in Atlanta. His family remembered him as a passionate educator who cared about his community and bringing families together. Our thoughts remain with his family, the other guests affected, and the employees who experienced the incident.
Do you have a question about how ride safety is regulated where you live? Tell us in the comments, and we’ll share what’s publicly documented.
