On October 12, 2026, Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, a 42-year-old Atlanta teacher at Wesley International Academy and a two-time cancer survivor, was ejected from Goliath at Six Flags Over Georgia and died. Four other riders, all minors, were injured. We name Mr. Kariem respectfully, as national reporting has named him, without graphic detail. Legally, this matters: no official cause has been announced, and no agency has found negligence by the park, the manufacturer, or any employee.

What happened on October 12

Goliath is a 200-foot Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M) hypercoaster that opened April 1, 2006, with a 175-foot drop and speeds of roughly 70 miles per hour. According to reporting, it uses a lap restraint with no secondary seat belt. That detail is a focus of the investigation — not an established cause, and it should not be reported as one. Six Flags closed Goliath and nine other coasters as a precaution. Under Georgia’s rule, a ride involved in a death or serious injury stays shut until the state investigation is complete.

The investigation — and why records decide these cases

Three investigations are open: the Georgia Office of the Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire, under Commissioner John King; the Cobb County Police Major Crimes Unit; and B&M, the manufacturer. Investigators are examining the restraint system, inspection and maintenance records, and operator checks. On October 16, Cobb County police said they lacked enough information to decide on criminal charges.

The record so far cuts both ways, which is why the investigation matters. Goliath’s most recent state inspection, on March 16, 2026, was officially clean — Commissioner King described it as showing “no violations, deficiencies, citations, or red tags.” The inspector’s notes, however, said bushings needed to be replaced. CBS News later reported that a person familiar with park operations said the flagged bushings were in the bogie (wheel assemblies), unrelated to the restraint system, and were replaced as recommended. That is that source’s account, not an official finding. CBS News also found roughly 20 minor, quickly resolved violations from 2016 to 2021, and none since.

On October 23–24, Six Flags CEO John Reilly announced that seat belts will be added to Goliath and similar-restraint coasters, with independent engineers reviewing safety. Announced while the investigation continues, it is not an admission and not a cause finding. Goliath remains closed until the state investigation completes.

Georgia’s ‘ordinary care’ rule

Georgia law sets the standard the park will be judged against — and it is lower than many expect. In Harlan v. Six Flags Over Georgia, 250 Ga. 352 (1982), the Georgia Supreme Court held that an amusement-ride operator owes patrons ordinary care — not the “extraordinary diligence” required of common carriers such as trains and buses, whose passengers hand over control of their own safety. A coaster, the reasoning goes, is entertainment a rider chooses, not transportation the public must rely on.

Expect assumption of risk as a defense theme: that a rider accepts the obvious, inherent risks of a thrill ride. None of that decides this case today. Liability will turn on the records — what inspections showed, what was noted, what was done, and whether the care exercised was ordinary and reasonable.

How Florida compares

Florida law does not govern this Georgia case, but the comparison helps Florida readers. In Florida, ride safety is overseen by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, through its Bureau of Fair Rides Inspection, which inspects most rides. Florida’s largest theme parks, however, are exempt from state inspection and run their own programs. Two states, two models — and the law of the state where an accident happens applies.

If you are ever hurt on a ride

Wherever it happens, the first steps are the same. Get medical care first, and follow up even if you feel fine. Photograph the ride, your injuries, and the area if you safely can. Report what happened to the operator in writing and keep a copy — do not rely on a verbal report or the park’s account. Keep tickets, wristbands, and receipts, and write down what you remember. Those records are often what a case turns on.

This article is general information about the legal system, not legal advice for a specific case. This was not a Tacher Law case, and no finding of negligence has been made against any party in the Goliath investigation described above. Tacher Law offers a free consultation on injury and wrongful-death matters. Call +1 (305) 644-2211. “We make friends by accident.”

Sources (reporting checked November 4, 2026, with the October 22–24 updates noted in the text):