Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia has temporarily shut down its Goliath roller coaster. Park officials made the call out of an abundance of caution following a fatal accident on a similar ride at Six Flags Over Georgia.
The closure in Los Angeles is part of nine precautionary shutdowns happening across six different properties in the United States and Canada.
Tragic incident in Georgia
The nationwide closures stem from an incident on Monday, Oct. 12. A 42-year-old rider, Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, was tragically killed when he was ejected from his seat on the Goliath coaster in Georgia.
Witnesses reported that it looked like he was hovering above the moving car before falling headfirst and being thrown on the ride’s final turn.
Police and state agencies are currently investigating the restraints and the exact cause of the accident.
Coast-to-coast coaster closures
While the two Goliath coasters share a name and massive drops of over 200 feet, they are not identical and were built by different manufacturers.
The Magic Mountain version is slightly larger, reaching top speeds of 85 mph on a 4,500-foot track.
The temporary shutdowns are affecting thrill-seekers nationwide. The closed coasters include:
- Goliath at Six Flags Magic Mountain (California)
- Goliath at Six Flags Over Georgia
- Nitro at Six Flags Great Adventure (New Jersey)
- Raging Bull at Six Flags Great America (Illinois)
- Fury 325 and Thunder Striker at Carowinds (North Carolina)
- Orion and Diamondback at Kings Island (Ohio)
- Leviathan and Behemoth at Canada’s Wonderland (Ontario)
A difficult month for Magic Mountain
This sudden shutdown comes just weeks after Six Flags Magic Mountain permanently closed X2. The famous 4D wing coaster was shut down in September amid multiple lawsuits alleging riders suffered serious brain injuries.
First opened in 2002 as X and revamped in 2008, the intense ride featured seats that spun 360 degrees independently of the cars. While X2 consistently passed safety tests, the park chose to retire it.
“Ride safety is a cornerstone of our business,” said Magic Mountain president Brian Oerding regarding the recent safety shifts. “When we see guest confidence affected, we take it seriously.”
