Six Flags Closes Nitro Coaster Amid Investigation into Fatal Ride Incident
The decision follows a fatal plunge from a similar ride in Georgia, leading to the temporary closure of multiple attractions across the company.
Six Flags Great Adventure has temporarily shut down its Nitro rollercoaster out of an abundance of caution following a fatal incident on a similar ride at Six Flags Over Georgia on Monday. The closure of the Jackson Township, N.J. theme park's "hypercoaster" comes as investigators examine the circumstances surrounding the death of Hassan Kariem, 42, who fell from the Goliath ride in Georgia.
Nitro, known for its 215-foot drop, is one of at least nine rollercoasters across Six Flags parks in North America that have been temporarily closed. The company stated that the safety of its guests and employees is a top priority and that it is cooperating with investigators in Georgia.
The "Fright Fest" event at Six Flags Great Adventure, which runs through Halloween, may be impacted by the closure of Nitro. The Nitro coaster was designed by the same Swiss manufacturer, Bolliger & Mabillard, as the Goliath ride where the fatal accident occurred. Several of the temporarily closed rides, like Nitro, do not feature safety belts as a secondary restraint, relying solely on lap bars.
This development occurs weeks after Six Flags Magic Mountain in California retired its X2 roller coaster in late September due to numerous rider complaints about alleged head injuries. One incident involved a 25-year-old woman who was reportedly on a ventilator for two months following a severe brain injury.