“HE SURVIVED CANCER — THEN A FAMILY DAY OUT ENDED IN TRAGEDY” — FATHER OF TWO DIES AFTER BEING EJECTED FROM SIX FLAGS ROLLER COASTER

Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, 42, died after an incident on the Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia. His family is grieving as investigators work to determine what happened.

A family visit to an amusement park ended in tragedy when a 42-year-old father from Atlanta died after being ejected from a roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia.

Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem died on Monday, October 12, 2026, after an incident involving the Goliath attraction at the theme park in Mableton, Georgia. The incident also left several other riders injured and prompted a wider review of similar roller coasters operated by Six Flags.

As his family and community mourn his loss, investigators are working to establish exactly what happened during the ride.

WHAT HAPPENED ON THE GOLIATH ROLLER COASTER?

According to the Cobb County Police Department, officers working at the park responded at approximately 3:58 p.m. on October 12.

They found Kariem beneath the roller coaster, unresponsive and not breathing. Officers secured the scene and requested assistance from the department’s Major Crimes Unit.

Preliminary information gathered through interviews with witnesses and park employees indicated that Kariem had been ejected from the ride, struck other passengers and then fallen beneath the attraction.

The circumstances leading to the ejection have not yet been established publicly.

Goliath is one of the park’s major attractions. The hypercoaster climbs to approximately 200 feet and reaches speeds of up to 70 miles per hour, delivering steep drops and high-speed turns.

The ride opened in 2006 and has operated for approximately two decades.

WITNESSES RAISE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE RIDE

In the days following the incident, some riders described unusual clicking sounds involving the restraints before the coaster departed.

According to reporting by PEOPLE, witnesses recalled hearing repeated noises from the restraint system and seeing employees check restraints more than once.

These accounts have attracted attention because the restraint system is designed to keep passengers secured throughout the ride.

However, witness descriptions are not the same as a confirmed technical finding. Authorities have not announced that a restraint malfunction caused the incident, and investigators have not publicly determined why Kariem was ejected.

The ride’s manufacturer, Bolliger & Mabillard, is also investigating alongside state officials and local police.

Until the investigation is complete, it would be premature to attribute the tragedy to a specific mechanical failure, maintenance issue or operational decision.

NINE SIMILAR RIDES TEMPORARILY CLOSED

Following Kariem’s death, Six Flags temporarily closed nine similar roller coasters across its parks as a precaution.

The company said the closures were intended to allow further review while authorities investigate the incident.

Georgia’s Office of the Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire also launched an investigation. State Commissioner John King said inspectors were examining the attraction, conducting interviews and reviewing what happened.

The state had inspected the park’s rides before the operating season, according to the commissioner. Those inspections do not, by themselves, determine what caused the October 12 incident.

Six Flags Over Georgia announced that the park would reopen on Friday, October 16, while Goliath would remain closed pending further investigation.

The precautionary closures do not establish that the other rides have the same defect. They reflect the company’s decision to keep similar attractions out of operation while the investigation continues.

A DEVOTED EDUCATOR AND MEMBER OF HIS COMMUNITY

Beyond the headlines, Kariem was remembered as a valued member of the Atlanta school community.

He worked at Wesley International Academy, where he served as an IT manager, technology teacher and robotics coach.

The school described him as a beloved colleague and friend whose dedication had made a lasting impact on students and staff over more than 12 years.

His work brought him into contact with generations of students, helping them learn about technology and develop their interests in robotics.

His death has prompted an outpouring of grief from colleagues and community members who remember him for his commitment to education and the people around him.

A FAMILY’S WARNING ABOUT FUNDRAISING SCAMS

As tributes appeared online, Kariem’s family issued an important warning about unauthorised fundraising appeals.

In a statement reported by CBS News Atlanta, relatives said they had not created or authorised crowdfunding accounts or donation requests in his name.

They urged the public not to send money to appeals circulating through social media groups or personal accounts.

The family said that if an official scholarship or memorial fund were established in Kariem’s honour, it would be announced through an authorised representative.

The warning came as people across the community sought ways to support the grieving family.

THE INVESTIGATION CONTINUES

The Cobb County Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit and Georgia state safety officials continue to investigate the incident.

Authorities are examining the circumstances surrounding Kariem’s ejection, including information from witnesses and park employees. The manufacturer is also conducting its own review.

As of October 15, 2026, officials had not publicly announced a definitive cause for the incident.

For Kariem’s family, the investigation comes amid the devastating task of grieving a husband, father and loved one whose life ended unexpectedly.

For the wider amusement-park industry, the incident has renewed questions about ride safety, inspections and how officials respond when a serious accident occurs.

The answers will depend on the evidence gathered in the coming weeks. Until then, the cause of the tragedy remains under investigation.

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