“HE WAS A CHERISHED EDUCATOR AND DEVOTED FATHER” — HASSAN JIHAD IBN KARIEM, 42, D!ES IN SIX FLAGS ROLLER COASTER TR@GEDY

ThanhThuy
October 14, 2026

“HE WAS A CHERISHED EDUCATOR AND DEVOTED FATHER” — HASSAN JIHAD IBN KARIEM, 42, DIES IN SIX FLAGS ROLLER COASTER TRAGEDY

Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem was riding beside his young son when he was ejected from a roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia. Now, his school community is mourning a colleague remembered for the lasting impact he made on students and staff.

A family day at an amusement park ended in tragedy when a 42-year-old Atlanta educator died after being ejected from a roller coaster while riding alongside his son.

Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem died on Monday, October 12, 2026, at Six Flags Over Georgia in Austell, near Atlanta. Police said preliminary information indicated that he was ejected from the ride, struck other passengers and fell beneath the attraction.

Officers responding to the scene shortly before 4 p.m. found Kariem unresponsive. He was later identified by the Cobb County Police Department.

Several other people were reportedly injured during the incident. Authorities have not yet established the cause of the accident, and the investigation remains ongoing.

A respected educator remembered by his school community

Away from the headlines, Kariem was known for his work in education and technology.

He worked as an IT manager at Wesley International Academy, a charter school in Atlanta. According to Atlanta Public Schools, he had previously worked as a technology teacher before moving into his management role.

The district paid tribute to him as a cherished member of its school community, saying his presence and influence would be deeply missed by students, staff and everyone whose lives he had touched.

For colleagues who worked alongside him, Kariem was more than a member of the school’s technical team. His career had been rooted in education, a field in which the people behind the scenes can make a lasting difference to the daily lives of students and teachers.

His death has left the school community grieving a colleague whose contributions extended beyond his job title.

A father and a family left grieving

Reports indicate that Kariem was riding the Goliath roller coaster with his son when the incident occurred.

The experience has made an already devastating loss especially painful for his family. His son was reportedly beside him during the ride, while his wife and daughter were elsewhere in the park.

The family has been notified, and relatives have spoken publicly about Kariem’s dedication to education and his love for his community.

The tragedy has drawn attention to the families and other riders who witnessed the incident, many of whom may need time and support to process what happened.

Six Flags said it was deeply saddened by the incident and extended condolences to Kariem’s family, friends and loved ones. The company also said it was cooperating with authorities and providing support to affected guests and employees.

What happened on the Goliath ride?

The Goliath is a major roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia, reaching approximately 200 feet in height and speeds of up to 70 miles per hour.

Police have confirmed that Kariem was ejected from the ride, but investigators have not announced a definitive explanation for why this happened. It remains unclear whether any mechanical issue, restraint problem or other factor contributed to the incident.

Following the fatality, Six Flags temporarily closed several similar roller coasters at parks across North America as a precaution while the circumstances were examined.

The closures were described as a safety measure and should not be taken as confirmation of a particular cause. Investigators are continuing to gather information about the incident.

Investigators continue searching for answers

The Cobb County Police Department is leading the investigation into Kariem’s death. Authorities have asked anyone with relevant information to contact the department’s Major Crimes Unit.

The findings will be important not only for Kariem’s family, who deserve answers, but also for understanding the circumstances of an incident that affected multiple people.

Until investigators establish what happened, the cause should not be assumed.

Remembering the man behind the headlines

As news of Kariem’s death spreads, the tributes from his school community offer a reminder that his life cannot be defined by the final moments of a day at an amusement park.

He was an educator and technology professional, a father and a valued member of his community.

For his family, friends and colleagues, the days ahead will be filled with grief and memories of the man they knew and loved. For the students and staff at Wesley International Academy, his absence will be felt in the community where he spent his working life.

Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem is being remembered not simply for the tragedy that took his life, but for the people he touched throughout it.