By Mark Woolsey
Six Flags over Georgia officials say the park will reopen as scheduled today (Friday) but that the Goliath roller coaster will remain closed, with no date set for its going back into service.
The coaster-and the park-were shut down Monday after a 42-year-old Atlanta teacher was ejected from his seat, hit several other riders, then plummeted to the ground.
In a statement released on Thursday, park president Richard Pretlow addressed safety, saying that rides undergo daily, weekly, monthly and annual inspections. He said their procedures meet or exceed industry standards and that ride operators are extensively trained.
Also, Cobb Police clarified the status of the four fellow riders struck by Hassan Kariem before he fell. Authorities say all four were taken to area hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries. They are juveniles hence no names are being released.