Roller coaster rider's death puts spotlight on safety of ever more thrilling rides
Summary
A man died after being thrown from a roller coaster called Goliath at Six Flags Over Georgia. This rare accident has raised questions about the safety rules for very fast and steep amusement rides, which are mostly regulated by individual U.S. states, not the federal government.Key Facts
- A 42-year-old man, Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, was ejected from the Goliath roller coaster and died after falling and hitting other riders.
- Goliath is a roller coaster with a 200-foot drop and speeds up to 70 mph, focusing on fast downward drops rather than loops.
- Six Flags temporarily closed nine similar roller coasters across North America as a safety precaution.
- Roller coaster safety rules in the U.S. vary by state because the federal government does not regulate stationary amusement park rides.
- Senator Ed Markey has tried to pass laws to give federal officials more control over all amusement park rides.
- Most amusement parks follow safety guidelines created by industry experts called ASTM standards.
- In 2024, serious injuries on roller coasters occurred at a rate of about 1.27 per million rides.
- Experts say most ride injuries are caused by rider behavior, not mechanical failures.
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