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Great America to add seat belts to Raging Bull after fatal ejection at Georgia park
Six Flags says Gurnee’s Raging Bull will get seat belts after a rider died at Six Flags Over Georgia earlier this month. The coaster will remain closed until upgrades and required reviews are complete; the company has not set a reopening date.
Six Flags Great America’s Raging Bull will be fitted with seat belts after a 42-year-old man was ejected from a coaster at the company’s Georgia park and died, the company said Oct. 26.
The Gurnee ride is one of three Six Flags coasters slated for seat belts. The others are Nitro at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey and Goliath at Six Flags Over Georgia, where the fatal incident occurred Oct. 12.
Raging Bull will not reopen until the installation and required reviews are finished. A company spokesperson said there is no reopening date, citing engineering work, parts availability and approvals. Six Flags is also bringing in independent engineers and ride-inspection specialists to review safety procedures across its parks.
“Our focus remains on supporting and cooperating with the ongoing state investigation while taking meaningful actions to further strengthen safety across our parks,” the spokesperson said.
Cobb County police identified the man who died as Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, 42, of Atlanta. Preliminary information indicated he struck other patrons before falling beneath the ride, police said. The investigation is ongoing.
Raging Bull opened in 1999 and is Great America’s tallest and longest coaster. It rises 202 feet, runs 5,057 feet and reaches speeds of up to 73 mph, according to the park’s website.