A man died at Six Flags Over Georgia on Monday after his restraint came free while riding in the Goliath hyper coaster, a ride designed by Swiss-based roller coaster design company Bolliger & Mabillard, prompting questions about what other rides at Six Flags hubs might have been designed by the company as an investigation ensues. It remains unclear what caused the accident, and no fault has been determined. The incident prompted the closure of nine rides across Six Flags locations in the United States, most of which had been manufactured by Bolliger & Mabillard.
Despite the incident and investigation, Bolliger & Mabillard is highly regarded for its “stellar safety record,” Brian Avery, a senior lecturer in the University of Florida's Department of Sport Management, told Newsweek. Officers found Kariem beneath the ride, unresponsive and not breathing, before securing the scene and requesting assistance from the department's Major Crimes Unit, the Cobb County Police Department told Newsweek in an emailed statement on Tuesday. The department said Kariem's next of kin had been notified.
"We were deeply saddened by the guest incident at one of our parks yesterday. Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with the guest’s family, friends, and loved ones. We are also providing support to the guests and team members affected," Six Flags said in a statement to Newsweek on Tuesday.
Kariem’s fall was captured by souvenir photos, and one witness detailed a horrifying account in which Kariem’s body hit others on the ride before falling onto the roof of a haunted house attraction. Investigators have not publicly said what caused Kariem to be ejected. Police said they are continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident and described the investigation as "active and ongoing." Bolliger & Mabillard, or B&M, designed and manufactured the Goliath coaster and has made roller coaster rides since 1988.
A spokesperson for the company told Newsweek on Tuesday: "We are really deeply saddened by this tragic accident. Our thoughts are with the family and those affected. We are actively investigating the incident, but we have no further comment until we have a better understanding." With over 100 roller coasters, B&M is known for pioneering ride technology and producing various coaster types, including multiple rides at Six Flags locations across the country.
Restraint systems vary by roller coaster design, Avery told Newsweek. Despite leaving the upper body open, Avery said riders who meet the ride’s requirements and who are correctly seated “should remain contained throughout the ride, including during airtime.” “An ejection requires a careful examination of how that containment was lost,” Avery said. Attendants also check each rider before the ride departs.
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