After fatal plunge, deadly roller coaster fears spread as investigation triggers wave of shutdowns

Fatal fall prompts investigation

Authorities are investigating how Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, a 42-year-old school employee from Atlanta, fell from Goliath at Six Flags Over Georgia on Monday. Witnesses reported seeing him ejected from the ride, and earlier riders had raised concerns about its restraints.

The visitor struck other patrons before reaching the ground, according to the account. Six Flags said it would not comment further until it had a better understanding of what happened.

More rides taken offline

On Thursday, SeaWorld Orlando and Montreal’s La Ronde confirmed temporary closures, bringing the reported total of grounded coasters to 12. The parks did not explain why they had suspended the specific attractions.

Bolliger & Mabillard, the Swiss company that built the Georgia coaster, also made the rides at SeaWorld Orlando and La Ronde, as well as eight others recently closed by Six Flags. The manufacturer declined to answer questions about the suspensions on Thursday. La Ronde said its Goliath was offline for a safety review with the manufacturer.

Questions about restraints

The article says ten of the rides taken out of service share a manufacturer and a restraint system similar to Georgia’s Goliath. It also notes that the available imagery does not show whether those rides have extra protections, such as seat belts; the Georgia ride has no backup restraints.

Ride’s height and speed

Goliath opened in 2006 and is near the entrance of Six Flags Over Georgia. Its track includes a sequence of hills and turns, but does not take riders upside down. The coaster’s first hill rises 200 feet, or 61 meters, and the ride reaches speeds of 70 miles per hour, or 112 kilometers per hour.