COBB COUNTY, Ga. — Following a fatal incident at Six Flags Over Georgia, Channel 2 Action News Investigative Reporter Ashli Lincoln took a closer look at how Georgia regulates roller coasters and how the state’s inspection requirements compare with those in other states home to major amusement parks.
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State inspection records previously reviewed by Channel 2 show the Goliath roller coaster passed annual inspections for years before 42-year-old Hassan Kariem was thrown from the ride.
Georgia law requires amusement rides to undergo an annual inspection by a licensed inspector. State rules also require qualified amusement park personnel to inspect and test rides each day they operate.
Channel 2 investigative reporter Ashli Lincoln compared Georgia’s system with amusement ride regulations in New Jersey, Ohio, California and Florida and found differences in how states oversee rides.
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In New Jersey, amusement rides undergo annual inspections. The state also has an engineering staff that reviews new rides as well as alterations and modifications to existing rides. New Jersey also conducts random operational inspections.
Ohio requires rides to have an annual permit and undergo an initial inspection before operating. The state can also perform reinspections and supplemental inspections at various times and locations.
California regulations require each new permanent amusement ride to undergo an operational inspection before opening to the public.
Florida operates differently. The state says permanent amusement rides generally undergo inspections twice a year. However, large parks with more than 1,000 employees and full-time inspectors on staff are exempt from the state’s ride inspection program.
Florida also changed its ride safety requirements following the 2022 death of 14-year-old Tyre Sampson, who fell from an amusement ride. The requirements now call for certain rides to have a primary restraint as well as a secondary restraint, such as a seat belt.
The Georgia Office of Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire, which is leading the investigation into the Six Flags incident, told Channel 2’s Ashli Lincoln it cannot discuss specific inspections or potential safety concerns involving Goliath while the investigation remains ongoing.
Channel 2 Action News has requested maintenance records for the ride.
Six Flags has not commented on the investigation.
The park is scheduled to reopen Friday at 6 p.m.
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