MASON, Ohio — Two rides at Kings Island are temporarily closed after a deadly accident at Six Flags in Georgia.
A park spokesperson told WCPO 9 News that Orion and Diamondback are closed for now due to concerns about other parks and similar attractions.
Out of an abundance of caution, we have temporarily closed similar attractions across our parks. The safety of our guests and team members remains one of our highest priorities.
WATCH: How long might Kings Island's Orion and Diamondback be closed?
The ride at Six Flags over Georgia where a guest died is a 200 foot tall “hyper coaster” called Goliath. It is very similar to Diamondback and Orion at Kings Island, with the same manufacturer.
Goliath was built by B&M, Bolliger and Mabillard, a Swiss company often considered one of the best and safest roller coaster builders in the world, with well over 100 coasters currently operating worldwide.
WATCH RELATED COVERAGE: One person is dead, several others injured in incident involving Six Flags roller coaster in Georgia
However, unlike Diamondback and Orion at Kings Island, Goliath did not have seat belts as a backup to the clamshell lap bar that held riders into place.
On Goliath, a ride operator would push the clamshell down until it clicked tight. At Kings Island, riders are required to buckle their seatbelt first, just in case the lap bar is not tight enough.
Kings Island’s former owner, Cedar Fair, required seat belts on all its B&M coasters, including Banshee, a third B&M ride at the park, that has a different restraint system.
Six Flags and Georgia officials will now investigate as to how a rider flew out of his seat, hitting the structure and fatally falling to the ground, according to eyewitnesses on the ride.
The company could decide to require the installation of seat belts on all its B&M coasters, but that should not affect Kings Island, as its rides already have them.
It appears Diamondback and Orion are now closed for the upcoming Halloween Haunt weekend, which is sure to mean longer lines at the coasters remaining open, such as Mystic Timbers and The Beast.
The park says it has no timeline for when the rides will reopen.
