The death of a 42-year-old man after he was ejected from a roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia has renewed scrutiny of safety oversight for major amusement park rides in the US.
Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem was thrown from his seat on the Goliath coaster on Monday, striking other visitors before landing below the ride. Officials have released little information about what happened.
Six Flags temporarily closed nine similar roller coasters across North America, saying the decision was taken “out of an abundance of caution”. Manufacturer Bolliger & Mabillard said it was “actively investigating the incident” and would not comment further until it had a better understanding of what happened.
Goliath has operated at the Georgia park for two decades. The ride drops 200ft and reaches speeds of up to 70mph, relying on steep descents and velocity rather than loops or corkscrews.
Questions over US amusement ride regulations
The incident has drawn attention to a regulatory system in which major amusement park rides are overseen by individual states rather than the US federal government.
Critics argue that this has created an inconsistent set of rules, with some states applying strict requirements while others provide limited oversight.
Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts has repeatedly introduced legislation aimed at closing what he calls a loophole in federal law. The Consumer Product Safety Commission can regulate mobile rides, but not stationary attractions such as those at major amusement parks.
Brian Avery, an amusement ride safety expert and professor at the University of Florida, said stronger federal regulation was needed.
“Who’s watching those in these organizations to ensure that they are adequately trained, that they are compliant, that they are monitoring these rides to the level in which the standards have established?” he said.
Georgia’s Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner, which oversees annual ride inspections in the state, is carrying out an “in-depth and comprehensive review” of the incident, spokesman Garrison Bennett said.
Industry relies on safety standards and inspections
Amusement park operators around the world generally follow ASTM standards covering ride design, construction and the levels of acceleration and force experienced by passengers.
Dennis Speigel, a theme park consultant and former president of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions, said operators also faced several layers of inspection and pressure from insurers concerned about potentially large payouts.
“With the checks and balances that are put in place, theme parks are really one of the safest places to be on the planet,” he said.
The trade association estimates that the risk of serious injury on a US amusement park ride is one in 15.5 million rides.
Martin Lewinson, a roller coaster expert and professor at Farmingdale State College, said a mechanical failure on a ride such as Goliath would be difficult to envisage because of its design.
The coaster uses a pull-down lap restraint known as a clamshell. Its ratchet mechanism makes a clicking sound as it is lowered over a rider’s hips, and contains multiple discs intended to provide redundancy if one fails, Mr Lewinson said.
A system is also designed to show a green “go” light for every seat before the train leaves the station. In theory, the train should not be able to depart unless all restraints are locked.
However, previous incidents have highlighted the risks involved when restraints do not operate or fit as intended. In 2022, a 14-year-old boy from Missouri died after falling from an amusement park ride in Orlando when his harness did not lock properly because of his size.
In 2013, a 52-year-old woman from Dallas died after slipping from her seat on the Texas Giant at Six Flags Over Texas. The park later introduced redesigned restraint-bar pads, seat belts and a test seat at the entrance so visitors could check whether they fitted safely.
Nick Mendenhall, who said he had ridden Goliath more than a dozen times in recent weeks, said staff had checked the restraints on each occasion.
“There are two employees, one on either side of the train, and with their hands they push down and they make sure it locks every time. I’ve never seen them not do it,” he said.
States take different approaches to ride oversight
California approves new rides and attractions that have been modified. State officials either inspect them and their operation annually or rely on an annual inspection carried out by the owner.
Florida’s largest theme parks, including Walt Disney World and Universal, are exempt from state safety inspections. They conduct their own checks and follow their own procedures, but must report any injury or death to the state.
Texas similarly relies on private inspectors appointed by park operators or their insurance companies.
Arizona, where Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Phoenix is located, has no state agency responsible for regulating amusement park rides or conducting safety inspections. The law requires an annual private inspection, with enforcement largely left to local authorities.
