Man ejected from Georgia coaster

Hassan Kariem, forty-two, died after witnesses say he was ejected from the Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia this month. The ride has been closed since.

Investigation will be thorough

John F. King, Georgia's Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner, is leading the investigation. He said investigators will not cut corners, rush to conclusions, or leave questions unanswered.

“Our team has been on the ground working day and night to ensure that every relevant detail receives the attention it deserves.”

Six Flags pledges cooperation

A Six Flags spokesperson said the park remains focused on supporting ongoing investigations alongside state authorities and the ride manufacturer. Safety is their priority.

“Nothing is more important to Six Flags than the safety of our guests and team members.”

March inspection found bushings issue

A March inspection of Goliath found no violations or deficiencies, but the report noted that staff need to replace bushings, a piece experts say investigators will examine closely.

What bushings do

Bushings are parts designed to reduce friction and absorb shock in various mechanical assemblies. They keep mechanical pieces positioned correctly amid repeated friction and bumps.

About the Goliath coaster

The Goliath opened in two thousand six at Six Flags Over Georgia. It was designed by Bolliger and Mabillard, a Swiss-based manufacturer. It reaches speeds of up to seventy miles per hour.

How riders are restrained

When riders board Goliath, they are buckled into thirty-six seats using a padded clamshell lap bar, a U-shaped restraint locked over thighs and waist. Operators check restraints before the ride begins.

What could have caused ejection

Ride operators and engineers said either a mechanical malfunction, operator error such as failing to properly check and secure the restraint, or a combination of both could have caused Kariem's ejection.

Bushing defects can be serious

Troy Richardson, an engineer with experience building and inspecting roller coasters, said even a small defect in a bushing can be a major problem. A slightly off bushing means pins won't fit properly.

“A bushing, if it's slightly off a little bit, now the pin won't go into the hole or it's a little bit loose in the hole.”

Maintenance schedule is key

Richardson said the roller coaster manufacturer most likely laid out a maintenance and replacement schedule for each part in an operation manual. Investigators will ask if staff adhered to those instructions.

Bushings were on bogie assemblies

A person with knowledge of the park's operations said the bushings identified in the March inspection were located on the ride's bogie assemblies, which connect the vehicle to the track. They were changed as recommended.

Training concerns at Six Flags

Harper Henderson, eighteen, a former employee who started at fifteen, said she was promoted to trainer at seventeen after six weeks as a ride operator. She said training could be done in about an hour.

Pressure to rush training

Henderson said the pressure to keep Goliath lines moving was paralleled by the rush to train new employees. She said managers pushed to have the minimum number of people to open every ride.

Test answers given to trainees

Henderson said rides were often so busy she had to rush training. She said they would give new operators the test answers, and new operators would be ready to work in fifteen minutes.

“We would just give them the test answers.”

Employee resigned over concerns

Henderson said she was not comfortable with the training process and resigned in July twenty twenty-five. She said the fact that operators could skip training was not great.

“The fact that you could just skip, that was not great.”