HERSHEY, Pa. — Hersheypark reopened its Candymonium roller coaster Friday night, four days after a man was ejected and killed on a similar ride in Georgia.
The Swiss company Bolliger & Mabillard built both Candymonium and Goliath, the coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia. Six Flags said it temporarily closed nine similar coasters at six of its other parks after Monday’s death, and Georgia investigators have not said what caused it.
By 6:55 p.m., the park’s app showed the ride open with a five-minute wait, according to a screenshot a rider posted.
“Before making this decision, we had Candymonium thoroughly inspected,” Hersheypark said in a statement. “Our ride inspection team, which includes state-certified ride inspectors, and an independent external ride safety inspector each confirmed that the ride is operating as intended and that Candymonium remains safe to operate.”
The park said it also consulted Bolliger & Mabillard. So far, the manufacturer has found no engineering reason to shut down similarly designed coasters solely because of the Georgia death, the park said.
Hersheypark said it had contacted the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, which oversees amusement rides in the state, about its decision. The statement does not say whether the department reviewed or signed off on it.
Under state rules, inspectors check rides at the department’s licensing, and owners must file a sworn record of a passing inspection before a ride operates and again at least every 30 days, according to the department.
The park said Candymonium was custom-built to its own specifications with several backup safety systems, including a seatbelt at every seat in addition to the lap restraint. Goliath has no such backup restraint, the Associated Press reported.
Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, 42, of Atlanta, was ejected from Goliath on Monday and struck other patrons before falling beneath the ride, Cobb County police said. Four juveniles were hurt, and police said their injuries were not life-threatening.
Georgia’s Office of the Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire said Thursday that Goliath passed its most recent state inspection March 16 with no violations. Under state rules, Goliath stays closed until the office finishes its investigation and decides when it may run again.
Cobb County Assistant Police Chief Damon Ballard said at a news conference Friday that police will wait for the state’s findings before deciding whether to file criminal charges.
Six Flags Over Georgia also reopened Friday. Its website lists Goliath as “temporarily closed following the recent incident.”
Dorney Park in South Whitehall Township, also owned by Six Flags, was not among the parks where the company closed coasters. The park posted a message from its manager Friday that said guests’ and workers’ “safety will always be our highest priority.” It did not mention Georgia.
Hersheypark had said Tuesday that it was consulting industry experts and would decide on its rides before the park opened Friday. The park lists Candymonium as its tallest coaster, at 210 feet, with a top speed of 76 mph.