“HE WAS SO EXCITED TO BE THERE”: HEARTBREAKING NEW DETAILS ABOUT DAD’S FINAL MOMENTS ON SIX FLAGS ROLLER COASTER
“HE WAS SO EXCITED TO BE THERE”: HEARTBREAKING NEW DETAILS ABOUT DAD’S FINAL MOMENTS ON SIX FLAGS ROLLER COASTER
Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, 42, was celebrating his niece’s 13th birthday when he was ejected from the Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia. His family is now searching for answers as investigators work to establish what happened.
A family birthday celebration has been overshadowed by an unimaginable tragedy after a father and beloved educator died during a ride at a Georgia amusement park.
Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, 42, was visiting Six Flags Over Georgia on October 12, 2026, with relatives to celebrate his niece Navi’s 13th birthday. According to his family, the Atlanta school worker was sitting beside his niece on the Goliath roller coaster when the incident occurred.
In the days since his death, new details have emerged through the account his niece reportedly shared with her father, Joshua Nelson, Hassan’s brother-in-law.
The account has left the family struggling to process what happened, while authorities continue investigating the circumstances surrounding the fatal incident. A birthday outing that became a family’s worst nightmare
The day was supposed to be about celebrating Navi and making happy memories together.
Hassan was reportedly excited to ride Goliath, a major roller coaster at the park. According to Nelson, Hassan had told his niece how much he enjoyed the attraction before they boarded.
Nelson later shared what his daughter told him after the incident. She reportedly said that Hassan appeared to pass out before his restraint seemed to come loose and he fell from the ride.
Her account has raised difficult questions for the family. However, investigators have not independently confirmed that Hassan lost consciousness or established whether a problem with the restraint contributed to the incident.
His niece witnessed the terrifying incident
Nelson said his daughter called him shortly after the incident, distressed and struggling to explain what she had witnessed.
At first, he found it difficult to believe what she was telling him. The family later learned that Hassan had died.
His wife, Eboni, had been waiting outside the attraction. According to reports, she realised something was wrong after hearing an announcement at the park that someone had died.
The family is now left with the painful task of coming to terms with a loss that unfolded during what should have been a joyful day together.
Remembering the man behind the headlines
Hassan was more than the victim of a devastating amusement-park incident. He was a father, family member and dedicated educator whose work had touched the lives of students and colleagues.
He worked as an IT manager at Wesley International Academy in Atlanta and had previously worked as a technology teacher and robotics coach.
Atlanta Public Schools described him as a cherished member of its school community, saying his presence and impact would be deeply missed.
Nelson also remembered Hassan as a generous person who loved children, technology and his city. He described him as someone who consistently showed up for the people he cared about.
A family left searching for answers
Alongside their grief, Hassan’s relatives have questions about how the incident occurred and whether it could have been prevented.
Nelson has said that while part of him believes it may have been a freak accident, he still wants to understand what happened.
Cobb County police are investigating the death, and Georgia’s Office of the Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire is also examining the incident. Six Flags has expressed condolences to the family and said it is cooperating with authorities.
At this stage, no definitive cause has been publicly established. The claims about Hassan losing consciousness and his restraint coming loose remain part of the family’s account, rather than confirmed investigative findings.
Holding on to the final happy moments
For Nelson, one memory has become especially important: Hassan’s excitement before getting on the ride with his niece.
He has expressed hope that the last thing Hassan remembered was the happiness of celebrating a special birthday with his family.
That thought cannot ease the pain of losing someone so loved, but it offers the family a small, precious memory to hold on to as they face the days ahead.
Hassan’s death has left a family grieving and a young girl trying to make sense of a frightening experience. As the investigation continues, his loved ones are seeking answers while remembering the man who brought warmth and generosity into their lives.
Hassan Kariem will be remembered not only for the tragic circumstances of his final day, but for the family, students and friends whose lives he touched.
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