“HE FAINTED — THEN HE WAS GONE”: HEARTBREAKING NEW DETAILS EMERGE ABOUT DAD’S FINAL MOMENTS ON SIX FLAGS ROLLER COASTER
“HE FAINTED — THEN HE WAS GONE”: HEARTBREAKING NEW DETAILS EMERGE ABOUT DAD’S FINAL MOMENTS ON SIX FLAGS ROLLER COASTER
Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, 42, was celebrating his 13-year-old niece’s birthday when he fell from the Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia. Now, his family is sharing a devastating account of what she says happened beside her — while investigators work to establish exactly why he fell.
A day that should have been filled with birthday celebrations ended in tragedy for the family of Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, a beloved Atlanta educator and father.
On October 12, 2026, Hassan was riding the Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia with his 13-year-old niece. His wife, Eboni, was waiting nearby as the family enjoyed their visit to the amusement park.
But the joyful outing took a devastating turn shortly before 4 p.m., when Hassan was ejected from the ride and fell beneath the attraction. Police said he was found unresponsive and not breathing. He was pronounced dead following the incident.
HIS NIECE’S ACCOUNT OF THE TERRIFYING MOMENTS
Hassan’s brother-in-law, Joshua Nelson, shared what his daughter reportedly told him after the incident.
According to Nelson, the teenager believed Hassan had fainted or lost consciousness during the ride. She then told her father that the restraint appeared to snap or come loose as the coaster travelled along its track.
“She said he fainted, or he passed out,” Nelson told WSB-TV, describing the frantic phone call he received from his daughter.
The teenager reportedly did not immediately understand where her uncle had gone after he fell from the ride.
These details come from a family member recounting the child’s experience. Investigators have not independently confirmed that Hassan lost consciousness or that his restraint malfunctioned, and the precise cause of the incident remains under investigation.
HIS WIFE WAS WAITING NEARBY
While Hassan was on the ride, his wife was waiting nearby, unaware of the tragedy unfolding.
According to reports, Eboni became alarmed after hearing an announcement that someone had died at the park. She feared the victim might be her husband.
The family was suddenly confronted with a loss that no one could have anticipated during what was supposed to be a special birthday outing.
The niece survived the incident physically unharmed, but she had witnessed a deeply distressing event. The family has since asked the public to respect their privacy and stop circulating sensitive images and videos of Hassan’s final moments.
FOUR CHILDREN WERE ALSO INJURED
Police said Hassan struck other riders before falling beneath the attraction. Four children were transported to local hospitals with injuries described as non-life-threatening.
Authorities have withheld further details about the injured children because they are minors.
The incident prompted an investigation by the Cobb County Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit and Georgia state safety officials. The Goliath coaster has remained temporarily closed while investigators examine the circumstances surrounding the fatal fall.
Officials have not yet announced a definitive explanation for what happened.
A BELOVED EDUCATOR WHO MEANT SO MUCH TO OTHERS
Beyond the tragedy, Hassan is being remembered for the life he lived and the people he touched.
He worked as an IT manager at Wesley International Academy in Atlanta and had spent more than a decade contributing to the school community.
Colleagues and loved ones described him as intelligent, kind and deeply devoted to his family. His relatives also shared that he had overcome serious health challenges, including two battles with cancer.
For his students, colleagues and family, Hassan was far more than the man at the centre of a tragic news story. He was a valued educator, a loved one and someone whose absence will be felt deeply.
A FAMILY ASKS FOR COMPASSION
As news of the incident spread online, Hassan’s relatives made an emotional appeal asking people not to share footage or graphic descriptions of his final moments.
They want him to be remembered for his character, his kindness and the relationships he built — not for images of the tragedy.
Their request is a reminder that behind every widely shared headline is a family dealing with a loss that cannot be captured by a video or a social media post.
Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem was 42. What began as a birthday celebration has become an unimaginable loss for the people who loved him. As investigators continue their work, his family is asking for privacy, dignity and compassion.
May Hassan rest in peace, and may his loved ones find strength in the days ahead.
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