“SHE CALLED HER DAD IN TEARS AFTER THE RIDE”: THE HEARTBREAKING FINAL MOMENTS OF HASSAN KARIEM AT SIX FLAGS

ThanhThuy
October 16, 2026

“SHE CALLED HER DAD IN TEARS AFTER THE RIDE”: THE HEARTBREAKING FINAL MOMENTS OF HASSAN KARIEM AT SIX FLAGS

What was meant to be a joyful birthday celebration became an unimaginable tragedy when 42-year-old Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem fell from the Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia. His 13-year-old niece was riding beside him, and a family is now grieving a man remembered for his love, dedication and kindness.

A day that began with a family celebration ended in heartbreak at an amusement park near Atlanta, Georgia.

Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, 42, was visiting Six Flags Over Georgia on October 12, 2026, with relatives to celebrate his niece’s 13th birthday. He boarded the towering Goliath roller coaster alongside the young girl, expecting what should have been another memorable family outing.

Instead, the ride became the scene of a tragedy that investigators are still trying to understand.

“His final moments and words were with her”

According to a relative’s account reported by news outlets, Hassan was seated beside his niece when he was ejected from the roller coaster.

Joshua Nelson, the girl’s father and Hassan’s future brother-in-law, said his daughter called him crying after the ride ended, telling him that Hassan had fallen.

Nelson later described the devastating moment, saying his daughter’s final moments with Hassan had taken place on the ride.

The young girl was not physically injured, according to reports, but she had witnessed an event no child should have to process during what was supposed to be a happy birthday celebration.

For the family, the day’s memories were suddenly overshadowed by grief, shock and unanswered questions.

What happened on the Goliath ride?

Cobb County police said preliminary information gathered from witnesses and park employees indicated that Hassan was ejected from the attraction, struck other riders and fell beneath the ride.

Four children were also injured and taken to local hospitals. Their injuries were reported as non-life-threatening.

The Goliath coaster rises approximately 200 feet and reaches speeds of up to 70 mph. The attraction has been temporarily closed while authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Although witness accounts have raised questions about the ride and its restraints, investigators have not publicly established what caused Hassan to be ejected. Any claims about a mechanical failure or a specific malfunction should therefore be treated as unconfirmed until the investigation determines what happened.

Six Flags has said it is cooperating with authorities and expressed condolences to Hassan’s loved ones and others affected by the incident.

A beloved educator and family man

Beyond the headlines, Hassan was a valued member of his community.

He worked at Wesley International Academy in Atlanta, where he served in technology education and supported students through his work with computers and robotics.

The school remembered him as a dedicated member of its community whose contributions and relationships had made a lasting impression.

Loved ones also recalled his devotion to family. The visit to Six Flags was part of a family celebration, and his presence was meant to help make his niece’s birthday special.

Now, the people who knew him are left holding on to those memories while trying to make sense of a loss that came without warning.

A family asks for privacy and compassion

As tributes and reports spread online, Hassan’s family has asked the public to respect their privacy and avoid sharing footage of his final moments.

Relatives have also warned that the family has not authorized online fundraisers in his name. They urged people not to donate to accounts claiming to raise money for them unless an official appeal is announced through the family’s designated representative.

Their requests reflect a simple need: space to grieve without having to confront distressing footage or navigate unverified fundraising appeals.

An investigation — and a family left grieving

The investigation into Hassan’s death remains ongoing. Authorities are examining the circumstances of the incident, while the Goliath coaster remains closed.

For his family, however, the loss is already painfully real. A birthday outing that should have been remembered for laughter and celebration has become a day they will never forget for another reason.

Hassan was more than the man at the centre of a news story. He was a relative, a colleague, an educator and a loved one whose life mattered deeply to the people around him.

As investigators work to establish what happened, his family is asking for compassion, privacy and respect for the memory of a man who went to the park to celebrate with the people he loved.