“FOUR CHILDREN WERE HURT TOO…” — POLICE REVEAL NEW DETAILS AFTER F@TAL SIX FLAGS ROLLER COASTER INCIDENT
“FOUR CHILDREN WERE HURT TOO…” — POLICE REVEAL NEW DETAILS AFTER FATAL SIX FLAGS ROLLER COASTER INCIDENT
A day at an amusement park turned into a tragedy when 42-year-old Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem died after being ejected from a roller coaster. Authorities have now confirmed that four children were also injured.
What should have been a day filled with laughter and family memories ended in heartbreak at Six Flags Over Georgia in Georgia, USA.
On October 12, 2026, Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, 42, died following an incident involving the Goliath roller coaster. Police have since confirmed that four children were also injured during the incident and taken to local hospitals.
According to the Cobb County Police Department, all four children sustained injuries classified as non-life-threatening. Because they are minors, authorities have not released their names, exact ages or further personal details.
A terrifying incident on the Goliath ride
Investigators said preliminary information gathered from witnesses and park employees indicated that Kariem was ejected from the ride and struck other riders before falling beneath the attraction.
Responding officers found him unresponsive and not breathing. The circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation, and officials have not yet announced a final determination of what caused him to fall.
The Goliath is a major roller coaster that reaches approximately 200 feet in height and speeds of up to 70 miles per hour, according to the park.
A family visit that ended in tragedy
A relative told local television station WSB-TV that Kariem had been visiting the park to celebrate his niece’s birthday.
Beyond the circumstances of his death, Kariem is being remembered for the role he played in his community. He worked as an IT manager at Wesley International Academy, and Atlanta Public Schools expressed condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.
A friend of the family also told WSB-TV that Kariem had faced serious challenges in recent years, including cancer and COVID-19. The friend said he and his daughter had survived a car fire just weeks before the roller coaster incident.
The ride remains closed as investigators work
Six Flags Over Georgia has said it is cooperating with authorities and offering support to people affected by the incident.
The park is scheduled to reopen on October 16, but the Goliath roller coaster will remain temporarily closed. Officials have not announced a date for its return.
Investigators are continuing to examine what happened. Until their work is complete, the precise cause of the incident remains unknown.
For the families affected, the consequences extend far beyond one ride: one family is grieving a loved one, while four children are recovering from injuries sustained during an outing that should have been a day of celebration.
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