New witness accounts have raised questions about the safety restraints on the Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia, where 42-year-old Hᴀssan Jihad Ibn Kariem died on October 12, 2026.

According to reports published after the incident, some riders described hearing unusual clicking sounds from the restraints before the ride began. Witnesses also reportedly said staff checked the restraints repeatedly, leaving questions about what happened before the coaster set off.

Near the end of the ride, Kariem was ejected from his seat, according to preliminary information released by police. He fell beneath the attraction, and several other riders were injured in the incident.

But did the unusual sounds indicate a mechanical problem? That remains an important question—not an established conclusion.

Georgia safety officials confirmed that Goliath had pᴀssed its most recent inspection on March 16, 2026, with no violations, deficiencies or red tags recorded at that time. Officials have since said the inspection records are being reviewed as part of the ongoing investigation.

The distinction matters: a previous inspection does not, by itself, establish what condition the ride was in on the day of the incident. Equally, witness reports of unusual sounds do not independently prove that a restraint malfunctioned.

Six Flags has cooperated with investigators, and the Goliath attraction remained closed while officials examined the circumstances. Several similar rides were also temporarily shut down as a precaution.

For Kariem’s family, the central question is whether the incident could have been prevented. Investigators will need to examine witness accounts, maintenance records, restraint equipment and other evidence before drawing conclusions.

The riders’ reports have added a new dimension to the investigation—but the cause has not yet been officially determined.

SOURCE: https://www.cbsnews.com/atlanta/news/inspection-of-six-flags-goliath-roller-coaster-found-no-violations-before-ᴅᴇᴀᴅly-incident-officials-say/