“FOUR CHILDREN WERE HURT TOO…” — NEW DETAILS EMERGE AFTER FATHER’S FATAL FALL FROM SIX FLAGS ROLLER COASTER

ThanhThuy
October 16, 2026

“FOUR CHILDREN WERE HURT TOO…” — NEW DETAILS EMERGE AFTER FATHER’S FATAL FALL FROM SIX FLAGS ROLLER COASTER

Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, 42, died after falling from the Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia. Police have now confirmed that four children were also injured, while investigators examine what went wrong during the devastating incident.

A day that was meant to be filled with excitement and family memories ended in tragedy at Six Flags Over Georgia in Mableton, Georgia.

Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, a 42-year-old father and educator from Atlanta, died on October 12, 2026, after an incident involving the park’s Goliath roller coaster. In a subsequent update, police confirmed that four children were also injured and taken to local hospitals.

All four children sustained injuries classified as non-life-threatening, according to Cobb County police. Their names and ages have not been released because they are minors.

For the families affected, the incident has brought shock, grief and difficult questions about how such a tragedy could happen at a place visited by families seeking a day of fun.

Four children injured in the same incident

Police said preliminary information gathered from witnesses and park employees indicated that Hassan was ejected from the roller coaster and struck other riders before falling beneath the attraction.

Officers responding shortly before 4 p.m. found him unresponsive and not breathing. The circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation.

Authorities have not yet established the precise cause of the fall or released a final explanation of what happened with the ride’s restraint system.

The four injured children were transported to local hospitals for treatment. Police have not disclosed the specific nature of their injuries or provided further updates on their recoveries.

A father remembered by his community

Hassan was remembered as a valued member of the Wesley International Academy community, where he worked as an IT manager.

Atlanta Public Schools expressed condolences to his family, friends and colleagues following his death.

A family friend told local broadcaster WSB-TV that Hassan had overcome significant personal challenges, including cancer and COVID-19. She also said he and his daughter had survived a car fire just weeks before the roller coaster tragedy.

Reports indicated that Hassan had been visiting the park to celebrate his niece’s birthday. What should have been a happy family occasion instead became an experience that those present may struggle to forget.

Similar roller coasters temporarily shut down

The incident has prompted renewed scrutiny of amusement-park safety.

The Goliath coaster remains closed while authorities investigate. The Georgia Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner is examining the incident alongside Cobb County police.

The Associated Press has also reported that several similar roller coasters at other amusement parks were temporarily taken out of service for safety reviews following the fatal fall.

Investigators are examining the circumstances of the incident, including the ride’s restraints and relevant maintenance information. Reports of possible restraint problems have added to public concern, but officials have not yet confirmed what caused Hassan to fall.

Six Flags Over Georgia has said it is cooperating with authorities and offering support to guests and employees affected by the tragedy.

What happens next?

The park is scheduled to reopen on October 16, but the Goliath roller coaster will remain temporarily closed. No reopening date has been announced for the attraction.

Cobb County police continue to investigate, and the Georgia safety regulator is conducting a separate review. Until those investigations progress, important questions about the cause of the incident remain unanswered.

For Hassan’s loved ones, however, the most painful reality is already clear: a father and educator has lost his life, and four children were injured during the same frightening event.

As the investigation continues, the affected families are left to process what happened while waiting for answers.

Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem’s death has left a community grieving. The hope now is that a thorough investigation will establish the facts and help clarify how this tragedy occurred.