HEARTBREAKING: DAD, 42, FALLS TO HIS DEATH FROM SIX FLAGS ROLLER COASTER WHILE SITTING NEXT TO HIS 13-YEAR-OLD NIECE
HEARTBREAKING: DAD, 42, FALLS TO HIS DEATH FROM SIX FLAGS ROLLER COASTER WHILE SITTING NEXT TO HIS 13-YEAR-OLD NIECE
Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem was celebrating his niece’s birthday at Six Flags Over Georgia when a terrifying incident on the Goliath roller coaster took his life. His family is now searching for answers as investigators work to determine what happened.
What was supposed to be a joyful family celebration ended in unimaginable heartbreak.
Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, a 42-year-old Atlanta father and school employee, died on October 12, 2026, after being ejected from the Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia.
He had visited the amusement park with family members to celebrate his niece Navi’s 13th birthday. According to his family, she was sitting right beside him when the incident unfolded.
The family had been looking forward to a day of excitement and shared memories. Instead, they were left facing a loss that has shaken their entire family.
“THIS IS MY FAVORITE RIDE”
Hassan’s brother-in-law, Joshua Nelson, shared the words the family has been holding onto since the tragedy.
Before boarding the ride, Hassan reportedly told his niece how excited he was to be there, saying: “This is my favorite ride, I’m so excited to be here.”
For his loved ones, those words have become an especially painful memory—one that captures the happiness surrounding the outing just moments before everything changed.
Nelson said he hopes those were the last moments Hassan remembered, describing his wish that his loved one experienced a moment of excitement rather than fear or pain.
WHAT HIS NIECE REPORTEDLY WITNESSED
According to Nelson, his daughter told the family that Hassan appeared to pass out during the ride. She then described his restraint as apparently coming loose before he fell.
These details are based on the family’s account of what the young girl reported witnessing. Investigators have not confirmed that the restraint failed or established the precise cause of the incident.
Authorities said Hassan was ejected from the coaster and struck other riders before falling beneath the attraction. Several other people were reported injured.
The circumstances surrounding the fall remain under investigation.
A BELOVED MEMBER OF HIS SCHOOL COMMUNITY
Hassan was more than the man at the centre of a tragic news story.
He worked as an IT manager at Wesley International Academy in Atlanta and had also served as a technology teacher and robotics coach. His work brought him into contact with students and colleagues over more than 12 years.
Atlanta Public Schools described him as a cherished member of the school community, saying his presence and impact would be deeply missed.
His family remembered a man who loved Atlanta, technology and working with children—a devoted father whose life extended far beyond the headlines now surrounding his death.
HIS FAMILY IS SEARCHING FOR ANSWERS
Nelson has spoken openly about the questions the family still has.
While part of him believes the incident may have been a freak accident, he has also questioned whether it could have been prevented.
The Georgia Office of the Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire is investigating the incident, and the park has said it is cooperating with authorities.
Six Flags Over Georgia has expressed condolences to Hassan’s loved ones and said it is providing support to guests and employees affected by the tragedy. No definitive cause has been publicly established.
For the family, the investigation is about more than understanding how the incident happened. It is also about finding answers after a day that was supposed to be remembered for a birthday celebration instead became a devastating loss.
Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem was a father, a family member and a valued educator. His loved ones are left with memories of his excitement that day—and questions they hope the investigation will answer.
May his family find strength and comfort as they navigate this heartbreaking time.
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