After Six Flags tragedy, SeaWorld Orlando closes Mako amid roller coaster safety questions
SeaWorld Orlando has temporarily closed its Mako roller coaster following the fatal incident at Six Flags Over Georgia on Oct. 12. The precautionary closure extends safety concerns beyond Six Flags and raises questions about what the two roller coasters have in common, what investigators will examine and how parks decide when to take similar attractions out of service.
Attractions Magazine examines those questions, drawing on firsthand industry reporting and insights shared during interviews with WESH 2 and News 12 New Jersey.
SeaWorld Orlando confirmed that Mako’s temporary closure was made out of an abundance of caution. The park has not announced when the roller coaster will reopen or identified a specific safety concern with the attraction.
Mako is one of several roller coasters temporarily closed following the death of Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, 42, at Six Flags Over Georgia. While many of the affected attractions share a manufacturer and certain design characteristics, the cause of the fatal incident remains under investigation.
Photo by Matt Roseboom
An industry holds its breath
On Oct. 13, I spoke with WESH 2 investigative reporter Greg Fox and News 12 New Jersey reporter Jim Murdoch about roller coaster safety, what investigators may examine and the difficult decisions parks face when a serious incident occurs elsewhere in the industry.
Both conversations brought me back to a question I believe deserves consideration: What should guests expect from parks when an attraction shares characteristics with a roller coaster involved in a fatal incident, even before investigators determine what went wrong?
I was asked whether closing other roller coasters was necessary. My response was to consider the guest’s perspective. Imagine learning that a roller coaster you had just ridden shared important design characteristics with one involved in a fatal incident, only to discover the park had continued operating it without first addressing potential safety concerns.
Precautionary closures do not necessarily indicate that something is wrong with those attractions. They demonstrate that operators are taking time to evaluate potential concerns before welcoming riders back.
What Mako and Goliath have in common
Mako at SeaWorld Orlando and Goliath at Six Flags Over Georgia share more than a manufacturer. Both are Bolliger & Mabillard hypercoasters standing 200 feet tall, featuring open-air trains, individual lap-bar restraints and layouts built around high-speed drops and airtime hills.
Courtesy of SeaWorld
Goliath opened in 2006 and reaches 70 mph, while Mako opened a decade later in 2016 and reaches 73 mph. Both roller coasters feature four-across seating and no inversions.
There are also differences. Goliath’s trains accommodate 36 riders across nine cars, compared with Mako’s 28 riders across seven cars. Goliath’s layout includes a 540-degree helix, while Mako follows a different course with sweeping turns and airtime hills.
| Specification | Mako — SeaWorld Orlando | Goliath — Six Flags Over Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Bolliger & Mabillard | Bolliger & Mabillard |
| Model | Hyper Coaster | Hyper Coaster |
| Opened | 2016 | 2006 |
| Height | 200 feet | 200 feet |
| Maximum speed | 73 mph | 70 mph |
| Track length | 4,760 feet | 4,480 feet |
| Cars per train | 7 | 9 |
| Riders per train | 28 | 36 |
SeaWorld has temporarily closed Mako while safety experts examine the attraction. The cause of the fatal incident involving Goliath remains under investigation.
Safety, trust and a shared responsibility
Attractions Magazine contacted SeaWorld Orlando for clarification about Mako’s closure, including whether the decision followed a recommendation from Bolliger & Mabillard and what inspections are being conducted.
The following statement was received in response.
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of those involved in the tragic incident at Six Flags over Georgia.
The safety of our guests and team members is a top priority. Our safety staff and ride technicians strive to maintain and deliver attractions that our guests can enjoy with confidence. That work includes regular ride inspections and ongoing collaboration with ride manufacturers and other engineering and safety experts.
There are still important questions to answer about what happened aboard Goliath at Six Flags Over Georgia. During my interviews with WESH 2 and News 12 New Jersey, I discussed three areas investigators may examine: the ride vehicle and its restraint systems, the ride operations team and the guest’s circumstances.
None should be presumed responsible without evidence.
My husband has ridden Mako more times than I can count. Like so many families who visit theme parks, we have trusted the people who design, maintain and operate these attractions. This tragedy has made me think about what it would be like to receive the news that someone I love would never come home from a day at an amusement park.
That is the reality now facing the family of Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem.
Photo by Dani Meyering
The attractions industry is competitive, but I have also seen the sense of community that exists among parks, manufacturers and the professionals who dedicate their careers to these experiences. My hope is that this community comes together to investigate every relevant detail, share what can be learned and take whatever steps are necessary to protect riders.
Precautionary closures may be inconvenient and disappointing for guests, but they also provide an opportunity to examine potential concerns before reopening. The decision to resume operations should be guided by evidence, thorough inspections and the safety of the people who board these rides.
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