Six Flags Over Georgia welcomed guests back Friday evening for its Halloween-themed Fright Fest, but the Goliath roller coaster remained closed. The ride is at the center of a state investigation after 42-year-old Hassan Kariem was ejected and fell to his death Monday. His family says his restraint came undone as the coaster dropped, and police say he struck other patrons before the fall. His body was found beneath the ride.
Records show Goliath passed inspections every year from 2016 through 2026, though bushings were flagged during a March review. In response, Six Flags has temporarily shut down nine similar rides across six parks. Goliath’s closure and the park’s decision to reopen so soon have drawn sharp questions from guests and community leaders alike, with Cobb County police assisting the state investigation into the coaster’s maintenance history.
Plenty of Suncoast families make the drive to regional parks, and thousands more visit Florida attractions every season. The question of how much we trust a restraint isn’t hypothetical here. It’s the thing every parent thinks about while standing in line.
Would you still ride a major coaster after a week like this one? Tell us in the comments.
