A fatal incident involving the Goliath coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia has prompted the temporary closure of 12 roller coasters across North America. Authorities are investigating the death of 42-year-old Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, who fell from the ride on Monday.
The scrutiny of Bolliger and Mabillard's clamshell restraints
Swiss manufacturer Bolliger and Mabillard is facing intense scrutiny following the death of Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem. According to the report, ten of the 12 halted coasters share a similar "clamshell" restraint system. These restraints consist of a vertical bar positioned between a rider's knees that locks a padded section over the lap and upper legs.
The Goliath coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia, which features a 200-foot first hill and speeds of 70 miles per hour, notably lacks any secondary backup restraints. While industry experts like Brian D. Avery advocate for backup systems, a long-standing debate persists regarding whether such additions would negatively impact ride wait times.
Witness reports of failing restraints at Six Flags Over Georgia
Multiple witnesses reported experiencing or observing issues with the ride's safety mechanisms prior to the fatal accident. As the Associated Press reported, witnesses described seeing Kariem ejected from the coaster,with some riders expressing concerns about the safety of the restraints before the accidnt .
Erica Billups, whose children rode the Goliath an hour before the incident, noted that her son attempted to lock a seat that repeatedly became unlatched. Similarly, Summer Bates, who witnessed the fall, observed her children attempting to push their restraints down more tightly during the ride because they did not feel secure.
Allegations of deferred maintenance in a 2025 class-action lawsuit
The safety crisis at Six Flags comes amid legal challenges regarding the company's operational standards. A class-action lawsuit filed by investors in 2025 alleges that Six Flags concealed a pattern of neglected maintenance and reduced staffing ahead of its merger with Cedar Fair. The complaint claims that the company deferred basic infrastructure repairs and ride design updates to cut costs.
Attorney Timothy Loranger, who represented the family of Christopher Hawley following a 2022 fatality on the X2 coaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain, noted a troubling history of the company blaming passengers for injuries. Loranger suggested that while the current precautionary closures are a positive step, the industry must avoid the previous pattern of attributing accidents to rider error or pre-existing conditions.
What remains unknown about the Goliath restraint failure?
Investigators have yet to determine the precise mechanical reason why Kariem was ejected from the coaster on its final turn. While the report mentions that 10 closed coasters share the same manufacturer,it remains unclear if those specific rides are equipped with seat belts or other secondary safety measures.
Furthermore, while Sea World Orlando and La Ronde in Montreal have confirmed ride closures, neither park has specified which exact rides are offline or why they were chosen for the safety review.. The investigation continues to focus on whether the clamshell system failed independently or if the lack of a backup restraint contributed to the fatal outcome.
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