“HE SURVIVED CANCER TWICE — THEN A FAMILY DAY OUT ENDED IN TRAGEDY”  FATHER DIES AFTER SIX FLAGS ROLLER COASTER INCIDENT

Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, 42, was a devoted father and beloved educator. Now, his family is grieving as investigators examine what happened aboard the Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia.

A day that was supposed to be filled with family memories ended in tragedy on October 12, 2026, when Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem died following an incident on a roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia in Austell, Georgia.

The 42-year-old Atlanta resident was riding the Goliath attraction when he was ejected from the ride, according to Cobb County police. Investigators said preliminary information indicated that he struck other riders before falling beneath the attraction.

Several other passengers were injured and transported to hospitals. Police later described their injuries as non-life-threatening.

For Hassan’s family, however, the incident has brought a devastating loss that no investigation can undo.

A father remembered for his resilience

Hassan was more than the victim of a tragic amusement park incident. He was a father, husband, educator and valued member of his community.

He worked at Wesley International Academy in Atlanta as an IT manager, technology teacher and robotics coach. He had spent more than 12 years at the school, where colleagues remembered his dedication to students and staff.

His family also shared that Hassan had survived two bouts of cancer. Just weeks before his death, he and his daughter reportedly survived a car fire without physical injuries.

Those experiences make his sudden loss particularly painful for the people who knew his story.

Witnesses raise questions about the restraints

In the days after the incident, witnesses described hearing unusual clicking sounds from the ride’s restraints before it began moving.

One couple told local media that the restraint appeared to make repeated clicking noises as it was secured. These accounts have prompted questions about the ride’s safety procedures.

However, witness accounts alone do not establish that a mechanical malfunction occurred. Investigators are examining the circumstances surrounding Hassan’s death, and the cause has not been officially determined.

The ride’s manufacturer, Bolliger & Mabillard, has also said it is investigating the incident.

Similar roller coasters temporarily closed

Following the tragedy, Six Flags announced the temporary closure of nine similar roller coasters across six parks as a precaution.

The company said it was cooperating with authorities. The Goliath coaster remained closed while the investigation continued, even as the wider Six Flags Over Georgia park prepared to reopen.

The closures reflect the seriousness of the incident, but they should not be interpreted as proof that the same defect exists across the affected rides.

A community mourns a beloved educator

Hassan’s death has deeply affected the Wesley International Academy community.

Colleagues described him as a cherished member of the school, remembering his commitment to technology, his students and the people around him.

His life extended far beyond his job. He was a father whose family mattered deeply to him, and a man whose work helped young people develop their skills and confidence.

As investigators work to establish what happened, his loved ones are left to face a loss that has changed their lives forever.

The search for answers continues

Authorities are continuing to investigate the incident, including the circumstances that led to Hassan being ejected from the ride.

Until the investigation produces further findings, the precise cause remains unknown. The family’s grief, however, is already painfully real.

Hassan will be remembered for his resilience, his years of service to students and his role in the lives of the people who loved him.

A father, an educator and a cherished member of his community — Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem’s life was far more than the tragedy that ended it.